John D. Lim

John D. Lim passed away peacefully with his daughter, Anna, son-in-law, Pete, and his two grandsons, Jens and Tobin by his side on August 12, 2021.

John was born Dong Hwan Lim to Joung Soon Kim and Ja Soung Lim in Seoul Korea. As a teenager, John’s father was killed by communist Korean Officials at the onset of the Korean War. In response, John joined the South Korean armed forces as a 16-year-old infantryman along with is older brother, Jackie. John’s ability to learn English and speak fluently was nothing less than brilliant; this aptitude to speak English served him well. In addition to his service in the Korean Conflict, John joined the Vietnam War efforts as an interpreter. During his time in Vietnam he trained U.S. Soldiers in hand-to-hand combat.

His training involved training U.S. Black berets and other special forces. While in Vietnam, he and several friends built a hospital for fleeing refugees trying to escape the war. John beat the odds by surviving the two wars where he faced heavy fighting in many battles. Through his decorated military service, John made several life-long American friends which ultimately led to his immigration to the United States. Before moving to Boise, Idaho, John married Sindy Lim in Seoul, Korea in 1964, where their three children were born. Upon their arrival to Boise, John and Sindy quickly embraced and adapted to the American way of life and raised their children in Boise.

Many people in Boise knew John as a Taekwondo Master and instructor. He took great pride in volunteering his time and expertise to teach students of all ages the Korean martial art. John never hesitated to help fellow Korean immigrants in any way he could. He often dedicated hours helping non-English speaking Koreans with paperwork, finding employment and housing, and whatever else they needed. Before changing careers to high tech fabrication, John was the owner and operator of a gas station in Boise where The Crab Shack (formerly the Chart House) now sits.

John’s other free-time loves included traveling, photography, hunting, fishing, clamming and all sorts of gathering food in nature. He was an Oregon Coast expert razor clam digger! John enjoyed fine cuisine and had excellent local knowledge of the best place to get not only Korean, Chinese, and Japanese food but also a great steak. John was a voracious reader who could burn through several novels in a week.

John was predeceased by his wife Sindy, his brother Jackie Lim, and both his parents. He is survived by his three children: Roy Stone, Hank Lim and Anna Lim-Mikkelsen, his granddaughter, Sydney Stone, two grandsons, Jens and Tobin Mikkelsen, and his younger brother Sam Lim.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John D. Lim, please visit our floral store.