Sunthi Paul Chookiatsirichai

Chookiatsirichai, Sunthi P. An incomparable, original force. Born Fu HePing in Bangkok, Thailand to Chinese parents Tse Yok Eng and Fu Fok Chung. He moved back to Hainan Island at age 3, then back to Bangkok again around age 8. Sunthi immigrated to Seattle where the McLeod family adopted him. Their love and generosity inﬂuenced so much of how he lived. He studied at Lutheran Bible Institute (Seattle, WA), Bethel College for a B.A. (St.Paul, MN) and received a Masters of Divinity and ordained at Luther Theological Seminary (St.Paul, MN). He was called to Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (North Mpls, Mn) He founded SE Asian Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran on the Northside of Mpls . He passionately served the Twin Cities Lao, Thai and Chinese communities. Sunthi was an advocate, a teacher, a mover and a shaker. His unending optimism for the goodness within humanity lit a fire with anyone he met. He never forgot a face. In his lifetime he won many awards for his good work, and served on numerous councils, organizations some of which included: A Governor Rudy Perpich Certificate of Commendation for serving on: the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans and a 1994 Outstanding Leadership Award; a Governor Arne Carlson Certificate of Commendation for: Leadership with the Thai Community in MN; served as a member on the Hennepin County Board of Aging (1986); Thai Association of MN Secretary; Chinese Senior Citizen Society Secretary; Mn Dept Health Alcohol and Drug Cultural Diversity Committee Member, He also served on the Mpls City Council Police Misconduct Board (1989); He presented on "SE Asians Fight Racism: The Changing Mood in the Twin Cities" for "The Militant" publication; The Hawthorne Neighborhood Group; and many more organizations promoting diversity, inclusion in the conversations, and dignity as human beings. We lost our dearest papa peacefully on Wed. July 10, 2024, at age 79. He will be fiercely missed. Survived by children: Laura (Dan) Morlock, Mark Chookiatsirichai, Chris Chookiatsirichai (Matt), Matthew Chookiatsirichai, Amy Chookiatsirichai, and Val Young; grandkids: Jaime and Trina Morlock; the Seattle McLeod Clan, innumerable friends, parishioners, and clients. Celebration of life: St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church 2323 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 www.saplc.org on Sat. July 27 (Visitation 12PM; Service 1PM; Reception 3-5PM). Inurnment: Mon., July 29 [2PM] at Washburn-McReavy Crystal Lake Cremation Garden. 3816 Penn Ave. N., Mpls., MN 55412 www.washburn-mcreavy.com/obituaries Buddhist Memorial Service for Sunthi Chookiatsirichai (https://youtube.com/live/h7e89AyIYWM?feature=share) and Christian Memorial Service for Sunthi Chookiatsirichai https://youtube.com/live/hKjViJv_l8I?feature=share

Tributes

Sunthi Paul Chookiatsirichai

April 22, 1945 - July 10, 2024

Tributes

Sunthi Paul Chookiatsirichai

April 22, 1945 - July 10, 2024

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