Georgia’s Korean community is mourning the loss of one of its prominent leaders.
Jay Eun, 69, passed away after several years of battling cancer and other ailments, according to his family.
Eun and his wife Stella were successful entrepreneurs. They started Golden Stella in 1987, which became the nation’s largest wholesaler of women’s fashion and jewelry accessories. They were also among the founding partners of City Bank headquartered in Doraville.
Eun was born in Busan, South Korea, and immigrated to Georgia in the late 1970s with his family. The family opened the first Korean restaurant in midtown Atlanta, known as Korea House.
He was known to help newly arrived immigrant families become financially independent.
Eun served for two terms as president of the Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta. He was also national president of the Christian Businessman’s Ministryand a board member of the American Korean Friendship Society and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Under his leadership, major cultural events such as the annual Korean Festival were established.
Eun was recognized with numerous citations and medals, including the National Merit of the Republic of Korea. The American Korean Friendship Society awarded him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also served cadets of the Youth Challenge Program, a federal boot camp for high school dropouts.
Eun is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hoki Eun; wife, Stella Eun; three sons; and six grandchildren. He worshipped at the Korean Community Presbyterian Church in Duluth, Georgia.
Credit: Georgia Asian Times
Credit: Georgia Asian Times
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