Obituary of James Jennings Kwee

James Jennings Kwee, MD died unexpectedly on Dec. 22 at age 80. He was born in Indonesia and persevered through multiple interruptions of his education to graduate from medical school. He trained at a Baptist missionary hospital in east Java, where he met his wife, Sunny. In 1971, he flew himself, his pregnant wife, and five hundred dollars to a missionary's home in Little Rock, Arkansas. There, James completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, earned board certification, and became a U.S. citizen. He was a dedicated and tireless physician, delivering thousands of children during his long private practice career in Arkansas and California. After a short-lived attempt at retirement, he served for almost two decades at an Indian Health Service hospital in Tuba City, Arizona, where the nurses called him "Son of Lightning" for his speed and skill in surgery. He finally hung up his scrubs in 2012, retiring to Chapel Hill to become a devoted grandparent. Fueled by his abiding faith in Jesus Christ, James felt a deep responsibility to help those in need, especially in times of crisis. Even in retirement, he volunteered at the local Red Cross. He was perpetually eager to help friends and family, offering support in any way needed. He also possessed an irrepressible spirit. A goofball extraordinaire, he could talk to anyone, and he did. Laughter, singing, and piano playing filled his home. He delighted in exercise, whether it was Qi gong on his porch or daily swimming at the local wellness center. On his last trip to China, he returned to his ancestral island and was welcomed by dozens of family members he had not seen in over sixty years. Our family will miss that spirit and the bottomless well of love he shared with us. We will always hold him in our hearts. Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 AM Monday, December 28, at Walker's Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill 27516. Burial: 2:00 PM Monday, December 28, at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary 27519. Memorial: 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 29, at Farrington Baptist Church, 5936 Farrington Road, Chapel Hill NC 27517. Fellowship to follow. James is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sunny; his daughter Ruth Chavis, her husband Larry, and their children Ryan, Ian and Sarina, of Chapel Hill; his son David Kwee, his wife Lydia, and their children Simone and Isaac, of Durham; his sister Tjin Pik Kwee of Little Rock; and his brothers Tjin San Kwee and Tjin Hong Kwee of Indonesia. Flowers are acceptable, or donations may be sent to your local Red Cross chapter.