Jun Kyu Kim, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and partner, passed away on August 21, 2026, while pursuing his passion for outdoor climbing. Born on April 3, 1981, in Neptune, New Jersey, Jun was kind, generous, and loyal, touching the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Jun was raised by his loving parents, Hyoun Sook Kim, who taught him how to love and care for others and the importance of family bonds. He shared a strong connection with his sisters, Yoon Hui Kim and Yoon Ju Kim-Butterfield, who cherished his goofy, thoughtful nature, sarcastic sense of humor, and unwavering support.
Jun and his partner Sz-Min shared a deep love and cherished being in each other’s company. Together, they climbed, kayaked, and traveled, enjoying exploring the country together and building a shared life.
Throughout his life, Jun was known for his adventurous spirit and zest for exploration. He discovered his love of the outdoors – where he found peace and joy – at an early age, during a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) trip to Alaska, and then pursued it by way of snowboarding as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder. However, it was when Jun began climbing outdoors that he discovered his true passion. This passion took him to Greece, Spain, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, Canada, and across the US, scaling technically challenging peaks.
It was also through climbing that he forged many friendships, and combined his love of the outdoors with his natural inclination to teach, mentoring less experienced climbers. Beyond his love for nature, Jun was an excellent cook and baker, who could whip up a delicious meal in no time, delighting his family and friends with his range of culinary creations. Family favorites were his homemade apple pie and flan. Jun joked that his family nickname around the holidays was “bake a pie.”
A memorial will be held in Jun’s honor on Saturday, August 29 at 1 pm at Greenwood & Myers Mortuary, 2969 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303.
Jun's legacy lives on in the hearts of his loved ones, and the memories of his life well-lived will continue to inspire all who were touched by his remarkable presence.
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Funeral Program
Order of Memorial
Welcome
Family speakers
Friend speakers
Memories of Jun in photos
In his words
These tides roll in and fall away
as the waves crash time and again
against the rocks
Challenging, searching for their weakness
as the moon lies hidden behind the clouds
allowing no answer, no vision
to the threats that lie ahead
a seeming infinity draws a rock into the
dampening cloak that envelops
dressing you in it's black velvet shroud of darkness
a silence of voices
each too familiar and never changing.
Until the moon seeks a victory
over the misty gray clouds
guiding rays towards the lighthouse.
Special thanks
Jun’s family extends heartfelt gratitude for your prayers, support, and kindness during this time.
