With an unshakable faith in his Savior, Henry "Keo" Chai battled cancer without complaint for 10 months before dying peacefully Sunday, August 1, in his South Jordan home, surrounded by his family. The eldest of seven children, Keo was born September 22, 1952 in Provo, Utah to Mary Ann Price and Henry Keonaona Chai. He attended schools in Hawaii, Arizona, and Utah, and after earning a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, graduated cum laude in 1979 from the J. Reuben Clark Law School. He was a founding partner in the Salt Lake City law firm of Blackburn and Stoll, where he practiced law until the time of his death. Keo dedicated his adult life to serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1972-1974 he served as a missionary in the Philippines Mission. He was ordained bishop of the West Jordan 49th Ward in 1983, and one year later became the first stake president of the West Jordan Utah North Stake, later renamed the West Jordan, Westbrook Stake. After serving diligently for nine years as stake president, Keo was asked to return to the Philippines as the president of the Philippines, Manila Mission. Without hesitation, he set aside his law practice for three years and accepted the call. Due to problems with the Manila education system for his children, Keo was reassigned after one year to the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City mission, where he completed his assignment in 1998. Keo is survived by his wife of 28 years, Judith Ann Christensen and their six children-Nathan, 27, and his wife, Mary; Kristin, 25, and her husband, Jeff; Erin, 22; Stephen, 21; Ryan, 15; and Jordan, 12. He has two grandchildren, Isaac and Melea'ana, and one more expected in October. He is also survived by his father, two brothers, and three sisters. Keo's life exemplified his commitment first to his Heavenly Father, second to his wife, and third to his children. A leader of remarkable wisdom and compassion, he strove always to teach by example, and his influence for good has touched countless lives. Funeral services held Friday, August 6, 2004 at the South Jordan Parkway Stake Center, located at 9894 South 2700 West. Interment at Orem City Cemetery.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 8/4/2004.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 8/4/2004.
With an unshakable faith in his Savior, Henry "Keo" Chai battled cancer without complaint for 10 months before dying peacefully Sunday, August 1, in his South Jordan home, surrounded by his family. The eldest of seven children, Keo was born September 22, 1952 in Provo, Utah to Mary Ann Price and Henry Keonaona Chai. He attended schools in Hawaii, Arizona, and Utah, and after earning a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, graduated cum laude in 1979 from the J. Reuben Clark Law School. He was a founding partner in the Salt Lake City law firm of Blackburn and Stoll, where he practiced law until the time of his death. Keo dedicated his adult life to serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1972-1974 he served as a missionary in the Philippines Mission. He was ordained bishop of the West Jordan 49th Ward in 1983, and one year later became the first stake president of the West Jordan Utah North Stake, later renamed the West Jordan, Westbrook Stake. After serving diligently for nine years as stake president, Keo was asked to return to the Philippines as the president of the Philippines, Manila Mission. Without hesitation, he set aside his law practice for three years and accepted the call. Due to problems with the Manila education system for his children, Keo was reassigned after one year to the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City mission, where he completed his assignment in 1998. Keo is survived by his wife of 28 years, Judith Ann Christensen and their six children-Nathan, 27, and his wife, Mary; Kristin, 25, and her husband, Jeff; Erin, 22; Stephen, 21; Ryan, 15; and Jordan, 12. He has two grandchildren, Isaac and Melea'ana, and one more expected in October. He is also survived by his father, two brothers, and three sisters. Keo's life exemplified his commitment first to his Heavenly Father, second to his wife, and third to his children. A leader of remarkable wisdom and compassion, he strove always to teach by example, and his influence for good has touched countless lives. Funeral services held Friday, August 6, 2004 at the South Jordan Parkway Stake Center, located at 9894 South 2700 West. Interment at Orem City Cemetery.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 8/4/2004.
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 8/4/2004.
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