It is the most dreadful or ironies, one so hard to accept, that Death takes the life of those who live life best.

The passing of a loved one engenders unbearable feelings; I search in vain for something to fill the void.  Today, the sun shines so brightly, but I feel it gives needless glow; I wait for the twilight to come, so that nature would match my soul.  All is quiet inside me, but the silence moves me to speak; in my bereavement I find solace in expressing these lamentations.  I welcome these somber feelings in my contemplative moods, for it brings me near to you, Jerry, and in my thoughts we reminisce together about the good old times. 

Do you remember how you, Patrick, and Sam tricked me on my 16^th birthday, got me messed up, threw me in the back of my own car, and drove it to Mexico?  I hated you when I woke up in San Diego, but I loved how you had everything planned.  Remember how Patrick was beating up Sam, while you and I laughed all the way back to the hotel?  I have pictures of us that day, when you wore a yellow jacket, a beige Gilligan hat, sunglasses, and a new fake silver chain.  I think about it now, and I don’t know why we let you wear that.  Perhaps it was because we were young, and nothing mattered; I’m glad I shared those kinds of moments with you. 

And then, I continue to reflect on the things you said, how you tried to teach me to stay positive and take things lightly, to notice that every fleeting moment is meant for us to enjoy.  You tried to teach me that life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.  I listened carefully, but I thought about it too long, while you took this principle and put it into practice.  But you loved me no matter, and accepted me for me; nevertheless, you lived passionately enough for two. 

That was the peculiar thing about Jerry and I, we were polar opposites: I thought too much, and he hardly gave anything much thought.  You could imagine how funny it would be to see Jerry fully enjoying life and spreading good cheer, while I sat at home to question the purpose of living.  As you may suspect, I was the target of many jokes; but believe you me, not one of us was safe from attack within our circle of friends – we did not discriminate, just ask Sam, he knows this best.  And that was the beauty of our friendship - we did it all for laughs.  We grew up together and shared many “firsts,” and this we held onto, though our dispositions diverged.  But whatever fate would throw at us we carried forward pieces of each other, the lessons we learned by influencing one another.  It was tacitly understood, that we would be friends to the end; I never thought the link that brought us together, would be gone so soon, for we were invulnerable.  Perhaps in my naiveté, I never realized we were still youths: living carefree and happy like we used to back in high school.  I think about that board game we used to play, Risk, but now that word became real. 

The world came too quickly, and I’m forced to mature overnight, but before I do, Jerry, I’ll stay a while and be young with you one last time.

Eulogies

Appreciation Remarks from Jerry's Sister......................................................................................................Ms. Andrea Chen

From Jerry's Cousin...............................................................................................................................Ms. Claudia Chen

From Jerry's Girlfriend.................................................................................................................................Ms. Vicki Chin

From Jerry's Friend at Trammell Crow...........................................................................................................Ms. Patti Maude

From Jerry's Friend at Trammell Crow..........................................................................................................Ms. Diana Wyant

From Jerry's Brother of Lambda Phi Epsilon.......................................................................................................Dr. Jack Chen

From Jerry's Brother of Lambda Phi Epsilon.......................................................................................................Mr. Frank Ngo

From Jerry's High School Friend......................................................................................................................Mr. Peter Kim

From Jerry's High School Friend....................................................................................................................Mr. Samuel Lin

From Jerry's Friend at Trammell Crow...............................................................................................................Mr. Ron Heim

Concluding Remarks From Jerry's Father.........................................................................................................Dr. Chao Chen

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