Ken Melvin Kwan was born on February 27, 1939 in San Antonio, Texas and passed away on March 4, 2019 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.

Ken was the first-born son to loving parents who left their homeland of Canton, China to seek a better life in the states.  Ken grew up in a peaceful neighborhood in southwest San Antonio with his two sisters and two brothers.  As a youngster, he spent time helping his dad in their family-owned corner grocery store, Brady Gardens, just blocks from their home, where, among other things, he mastered skills as a butcher.  He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1956 and then went on to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in 1963.

Ken took his degree back to his hometown of San Antonio and eventually bought Empire Pharmacy No. 1 on South Zarzamora Street.  He served the community of southwest San Antonio for over 50 years with his wife, Betty, at his side.  Along the way, he made many lifelong friends and served several generations of families, whom he always felt a special obligation to care for.  His benevolent charisma and love of the Spanish language endeared him to his patients and the entire community.

In his tirelessness and generosity, it was routine for Ken to work a 14-hour day and afterwards make an hour of deliveries late into the night.  With an extraordinary commitment and seemingly superhuman stamina, he lived a life of true service to his family, friends, and community.  For many years, Ken was an active member of the Chinese American Citizen Alliance San Antonio Chapter and St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church.  He enjoyed family meals, dancing with his wife, Spurs games, tennis, bowling, Mah Jong, wine, fishing, singing, camping, and vacations.  He loved to cook in a very spontaneous and delicious style and took every opportunity to create bold flavors and aromas around the home – a passion he handed down to his sons. His devotion to his pharmacy, was matched by his passion for his family.  With 5 married children, 19 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, much of his time away from work was focused on birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and anniversaries.

His favorite thing to do at the end of his long days was to sit down with a good friend for a couple of tacos and a beer and reconnect.  Everywhere Ken went, someone would recognize him and come up to greet him.  It seems like everyone knew Ken, the neighborhood pharmacist, who had many nicknames: Kenny, Bogardus, Bo, Juanito, and Chinito.  He delivered advice, friendship, and empathy with every prescription.  It wasn't uncommon to lose Ken in a crowd, only to find him deep in conversation with someone who had only moments before been a stranger.  Upon conversing with complete strangers, he often found that they had mutual associations.  That was his way – making friends was a natural gift.

To his closest family, Ken will be remembered most for his outgoingness, spontaneity, playfulness, joyful disposition, eternal optimism, ever accommodating nature, generosity, and tenderness of heart.  He made every effort to never disappoint anyone that he knew was counting on him.  Nothing made him happier than seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren live life to its fullest and thrive.  He never took for granted the opportunities afforded to him in this great free society.

Ken lived life unapologetically.  He revelled in the fullness of his life.  His North Star was his heart, which always led him towards love.  And now in Love, he remains for eternity.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Mae Kwan, sister Joyce Kwan, and brother Ronald Kwan. He is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Betty Wong Kwan; children: Liesl Ann Perez (Robert), Regina Kay Sherbondy (Frank), Christopher Ken Kwan (Stephanie), Peter Glenn Kwan (Charlotte), Nathan Andrew Kwan (Marci); brother, Roy Kwan (Jeanie); sister, Bernice Wong (Clifford); 19 Grandchildren & 6 Great-grandchildren: Lindsey Perez (Mario Maldonado: Madeline & Lillian), Melody Khmelev (Alex: Anya), Nadia Mendiola (Joe), Anastasia Perez (Matthew Martin: William & Norah), Andrew Sherbondy (Rudy), Austin Sherbondy, Mason Sherbondy, Tristan Sherbondy, Camille Kwan, Aidan Kwan, Lauren Kwan, Samuel Kwan, Nicolas Kwan, Simon Kwan, Oliver Kwan, Ezra Kwan, Neyda Kwan, Tyler Kwan, Shiloh Kwan; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends whom he never forgot and whom he always held in his heart.

To all of his friends and family: your love and support has been and continues to be a blessing to Ken and his family.

We love you, Dad, Gung-Gung, Yeah-Yeah, Bok-Gung!

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin Friday, March 15 ^th at 6:00 P.M.

at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church

with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.

Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, March 16 ^th at 9:00 A.M. at

St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church

Interment will follow at

Resurrection Cemetery at Cordi-Marian.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.