Vilcar Koo

Vilcar Y. Koo

Memorial Service at Forest Lawn Glendale
Date: Aug 24th, 2022
Time: 10 am
Address: 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205
Location: Church of The Recessional

August has a dismal history of unkindness. To list a few:

World War I started in August.
The atomic bombs dropped in August.
The Watts Uprising occurred here in August.
Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe died in August.

We will never forget August 2022 because it has been vicious to us. August 2022 took away our beloved Vilcar, unexpectedly, too sudden, too young. Vilcar's spirit is carried on by his parents, brother, wife, extended family, and close friends from all walks of life.

To capture Vilcar in words is an impossible task, particularly writing an obituary with feelings of anger, agony, and unreadiness. An obituary strips away the essence of what Vilcar brought to life. Warm, inquisitive, giving, resilient, and fearless. These are adjectives best felt, not read because you'll never be able to tell me what it felt like when Vilcar was in protection mode. Feel his strength and confidence walking next to him in New York City during a time when it was dubbed the crime capital of the world. You'll never feel his sense of loyalty and kindness because you didn't feel his perseverance, and hard work championing and breaking down barriers to bring underprivileged children from the West Indies to the United States to study abroad while in the Peace Corps. You'll never know how talented Vilcar was because you won't be able to hear his voice in English, Spanish or Chinese. Or watch him play his two-minute speed chess (ranking 98% percentile in the Chess Glicko rating system), or when competitively asking for the ball for the game-winning shot in basketball. You'll never see his sensitivity because he felt the need to project strength for others, but it was there. Like the time he shed tears saying goodbye to his puppies when leaving for college. For those who were fortunate to have crossed paths with him, to have spent time with him, you know these adjectives. You know how it felt to be next to him. You know what he brought. You know how he appreciated you without saying it.

Unpretentious, simple, and a man of the people in many ways.

Perhaps one day we can forgive August. Until then, we can only cherish you, in our forever memory, your cheeky grins and laughter are permanently etched in my heart.

We miss you Vilcar. I miss you.