Duluth, September 2, 2024 – Georgia's Korean and AAPI communities mourn the loss of one of its prominent and respectable community leaders over the Labor Day weekend. Jay Eun, 69 years old, passed away after several years of battling cancer and other ailments.
Jay and his wife Stella were successful entrepreneurs and started Golden Stella in 1987. The business grew to become the nation's largest wholesale of women's fashion and jewelry accessories in the country. He and his wife are part of the founding partners who started the successful Metro City Bank headquartered in Doraville, Georgia.
Jay was born in Busan, South Korea, and immigrated to Georgia in the late 1970s with his family. The family opened the first Korean Restaurant in midtown Atlanta, known as Korea House.
Jay is passionate about serving and empowering the Korean American community in Georgia. He is known to assist newly arrived immigrant families to be economically successful and financially independent. Over the years, Jay has committed to community services and numerous volunteer services.
Jay served for two terms as President of Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta, a community organization servicing the local Korean American community in metro Atlanta. As national president of Christian Businessman's Ministry, he successfully managed several projects. He also dedicated himself to serving as a Board member of the American Korean Friendship Society and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Under his leadership, several philanthropic contributions were made for the sake of local community members, and major cultural events – such as the annual Korean Festival that garners thousands of attendees every year – were established to share the rich customs and history of Jay’s motherland.
Jay was recognized for his community volunteering services with numerous citations, and medals including the National Merit of the Republic of Korea. American Korean Friendship Society awarded him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Jay served cadets of the Youth Challenge Program, a federal government-operating boot camp project for high school dropouts.
He is survived by his beloved parents Mr. and Mrs. Hoki Eun, and wife Stella Eun, three
grown sons and their wives, and six grandchildren to carry on his memory. Jay worshipped at The Korean Community Presbyterian Church in Duluth, Georgia where his father Hoki Eun started in the late 70’s, and Jay chaired the Building Construction Committee two decades ago.
A funeral service is scheduled to be on 5:00 PM Monday, September 2, 2024 at the Korean American Community Center, 5900 Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Korean Community Presbyterian Church, 2534 Duluth Highway, Duluth, Georgia 30097
