John Lim

John Lim, 94, born in 1931, passed away in November of 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

His life was a remarkable journey—one defined by resilience, humility, deep faith and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved.

Born in a small fishing village on the east coast of Korea, John’s early years were shaped by hardship, war, and perseverance. During the Korean conflict, he supported himself working for the U.S. Army, where he learned English.

Driven by a vision for his future, John set his sights on America. He earned a full scholarship to Eastern Tennessee State University and made the long journey by ship, then by bus to Johnson City, Tennessee in 1958. His move occurred during a turbulent period in American history, yet he always recalled the kindness that met him on his first day—when a bus driver helped him navigate a segregated bus system with dignity and compassion. It was a moment he carried with him throughout his life.

John excelled in the hard sciences, earning his degree in chemistry from ETSU and later a PhD from the University of Delaware. It was during these years that he met the love of his life, his future wife Connie, who was studying at the University of Illinois. Together, they built a family and raised two sons, Bruce and Bryant.

John’s professional journey was marked by ingenuity and an entrepreneurial spirit. After early work as a chemist on the East Coast, he moved his family to California in 1975. He later founded Able Chemical Corporation in 1985 and Rexor Corporation in 1988, pursuing advancements in solar technology, including efforts to perfect the advanced Czochralski method for silicon wafer manufacturing. His quiet determination and ability to bridge cultures served him well.

Above all else, John was a family man. He delighted in camping trips with his sons, weekend steak dinners with Bruce, and time spent in the home he built for his family in Claremont. Later in life, he cherished watching his grandchildren grow—whether on a trip to Disneyland, a cruise to Bermuda, or witnessing their milestones, like a first driving lesson.

John adored his wife deeply, and their bond endured through every chapter of life. Her passing left a profound ache in him, and his devotion to her remained clear in the months that followed.

John is survived by his son Bryant, his daughter-in-law SooHee, his beloved grandchildren, Melanie and Peter, and friends who will forever carry his memory. He was a giant in the lives of those who loved him—one whose legacy will endure through the values he embodied and the example he set.

He is missed already.

Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, CA.