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“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

Dr. William (Joonil) Jung

November 30, 1969- July 10, 2017

Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 1:00pm

Service and Interment:

Forest Hills Cemetery

95 Forest Hill Avenue Boston, MA 02130

Reception:

Waterford Restaurant

2 Bridge St. Dedham, MA 02026

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

(2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Dr. William Joonil Jung was born on November 30, 1969. He graduated from Korea University and went on to complete his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biochemistry at Brown University, publishing twice in Science for his excellent research. After finishing his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, he went on to become a Senior Genomics Scientist at Helicos BioSciences, a Research Scientist at the Broad Institute, and most recently worked as the Principal Research Investigator at Sanofi Oncology where he recently received an award for his work.  

    In addition to his outstanding achievements in cancer research, he was loved and respected as a man of faith in his community.  After meeting Jesus personally in college, he devoted his time and resources as a campus Bible teacher and lay missionary in Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and Boston for 25 years.  He used his intellect to help people make sense of difficult questions regarding God, life and faith.  His steadfastness, composure, and insight were a source of strength and comfort to everyone around him.  

    But, he may be remembered most as a loving husband, gentle and encouraging father, and caring friend. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Eunkyong Lee, his son, Isaac, his daughter, Joanna, and his two brothers, Jung Pyung Gil and Jung Pyung Song. He is preceded by his mother, Lim Gum Rye, and his father, Jung Yang Chae. William will continue to live on in our hearts and memories.

Order of Service:

Hymn: “We are Marching to Zion

Prayer:  

1. Mark Vucekovich (Chicago)

2. John Koo (Boston)

3. Jonathan Park (Korea)

4. Sarah Barry (Chicago)

Special Song: Boston UBF Men Co-workers

Scripture reading: Grace Oh (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Message: Abraham Lincoln

Eulogy: Peter Lee (Boston)

Closing Remarks: Matthew Meyerson L, MD, Ph.D (Broad Institute)

Special Song: Abraham Jeong (New Hampshire)

Hymn: “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”

Prayer: Abraham Kim  (Chicago)
 

Interment:

Final Resting Reading: Genesis 3:19

Prayer:

1. Sam Zun (Cincinnati)

2. David Baik (New York)

3. Moses Noah (Philadelphia)

4. Isaac Jeong (Ottawa)

Reception:

Master of Ceremony: Peter Lee (Boston)

Prayer: Liz Lincoln (Boston)

Welcome address: Pyung Gil Jung (brother)

Tributes:

1. Isaac Jung (son)

2. Joanna Jung (daughter)

3. Isaac Jeong (Ottawa)

4. James Oh (Alabama)

5. David Lee (Boston)

6. Sarah Jeong (New Hampshire)

7. Joshua Yang (Boston)

Diligently proving to be a good steward of faith (2 Tim 4:6-8)

    The Scripture text for this message is based on a letter written by Apostle Paul to his prodigy named, Timothy. As he neared the end of his life, he could look back without regret or remorse. In the verses we read, the author examines his life from 3 perspectives; the present reality of the end of his life, for which he was ready (v. 6); the past, in which he had been faithful (v. 7); and the future, as he anticipated his heavenly reward. (v. 8) At the end of the day, the author made a personal statement. He said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (7-8)

The form of the 3 verbs “have fought, have finished, have kept,” indicates a completed action with continuing result. Paul saw his life as complete—he had been able to accomplish through the Lord’s power all that God called him to do. He was a soldier, an athlete, and a guardian. What does “good fight” look like? Or what does it take to be a good soldier? If we compare our daily living it is likened to a battlefield, and you and I, we are active soldiers. Every minute we fight diligently to survive. We know every hour counts. The moment we take it lightly, then we realize that we are in some sort of trouble. To be a soldier of life is a matter of attitude. No active soldier would take his duty lightly. A soldier that leaves the post is not a good soldier. A soldier is responsible for the trust given him. If we compare our life to an athlete, we ought to finish the job. I remember watching the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Marathon. Many people were cheering the last person who arrived at the finish line 2 hours after the official time was up. When asked what kept him going, the person said something like this, “My country sent me here to finish the race, not to give up.” This was such an inspiring line for all those who heard. We are responsible stewards of our race. It would require arduous work plus diligence. It requires a persistent and conscious effort to be diligent. To be diligent is an attitude. We need to have earnest desire to be diligent. It demands loyalty. Faith is the trust given us at any given point of time; whether we are at an entry level job or CEO of a corporate company, or a person of faith, we must keep our trust. Thus, a persistent attitude, and uncompromising loyalty, make a diligent person, and that keeps our life going.  But death is not the end of the world. We believe in eternal reward. God is just, and a just God will reward each person fairly. This is our living hope.

Today we celebrate the homecoming of Dr. William Jung. His good works will continue to live on in our hearts and memories for many years to come. Today’s text of Scripture is a fitting statement for our dear brother. During his lifetime, he made a profound impact on many people’s lives; at the work place, in the church community, and at home. Dr. William Jung was an accomplished scientist at his work place. He was a father figure to many in the church community. Most of all, he was a loving husband to Pauline, and a loving father to his daughter Joanna, and his son Isaac. He was a wonderful dear brother in the Lord to me, personally. Our brother was a multi-faceted person. But one thing that sticks out is that he was a diligent person with keen insight in about everything he was engaged with. Most of all, he was a diligent disciple maker. He diligently served one person, Allan Blanchard from MIT to the end, and helped him grow in the faith and as a leader in our church. Though he served as the director of Boston UBF for five years, this was not his ambition; he just wanted to do something for God and to help the community members. He diligently sought to please God with all his heart and mind and strength through his life. In the end, Dr. William Jung was a good soldier of Christ. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith. No regrets in life. Now the crown of righteousness is waiting for him, as he enters the pearly gate. Our Lord Jesus himself will welcome him saying, “Come, my faithful servant, enter my rest.” All his suffering pain is over. No more burden of life’s agony. He’s our champion who went ahead of us! We are sad, indeed, at his demise because we will be missing him dearly. But, we are not totally at loss, because soon, we will see him face to face, then our joy will be complete. We have this hope to see him some tomorrow morning, and we rejoice in the Lord. We praise God for such a glorious life that Dr. William Jung led. He is a source of inspiration for all of us who remain here for a short while. Not only to William, but this promise of the crown of righteousness is to all who longed for his coming. This is the reason we do not despair, but keep looking forward for this wonderful day.

God was preparing the family members for the last 3 months. This past Monday, whether it was real or a dream, Pauline heard the voice of promise again. “I will be with you to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20) This assurance from the word of God strengthened her, and she was ready to move on to the next stage of life. The last 3 months were difficult ones. But, I am amazed at the leadership Pauline shows us. She behaves in such a mature way amidst unbearable sorrow and pain. We are encouraged by her victorious spirit through this ordeal. This past Sunday, during worship hour, I asked who is your role model, and Isaac said, “My dad was my role model.” This was a beautiful thing. That tragic night while we were in the hospital, Joanna called me aside and wanted to share with me something she never shared with anyone about her dad. Her dad was the best dad in the world. She was so sad, but she was happy because she knew her dad loved her dearly. “Appa, whatever happens, I want you to know that you are the best dad, and I love you,” she said. Since then Joanna has been a source of encouragement to all of us who were with her family. We praise God for his presence in the Holy Spirit with this immediate family the whole time, including Pauline’s mom and dad, and his two brothers, who all suffered alongside.

I had the opportunity to know William for the last 3 years. Early on, I knew that I needed William’s help to build our community in greater Boston area UBF. For the past 10 months or so before the tragedy, William and I decided to talk every Wednesday evening. After talking for 30 minutes or so about children’s matters, about church family members and the ministry in general, he would often say, we may not have a solution for every problem. But we can bring all our burdens to the Lord. This memory will live on in my heart. I have one regret; I wish I had the company of William for several more years. He had so much to offer, and 3 years was not quite enough. Now he took all the good things with him.

    In such a short span of time, William has accomplished so much; he was a distinguished scientist, and could have lived on his laurels, a loving husband, a gentle father, and a Godly man, full of faith. We celebrate his life. We will miss him dearly for many years to come. We are sad, but not without hope. He inspires us to live a diligent life. This is the legacy he left behind for us to follow. By emulating his ideal, we can make a difference with someone around us. We rejoice in the Lord with this hope to see him again in glory. May God rest our dear brother in peace.