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Giving to the end

March 15, 2014

68-year old Korean American man left brain-dead after falling accident

may save up to six lives as an organ donor

Mr. Jung Sang-gil was the owner of Dae Hung Refrigeration who lived in Los Angeles’ Koreatown for 28 years.

Mr. Jung Sang-gil was the owner of Dae Hung Refrigeration and had lived in Los Angeles’ Koreatown for 28 years.

By Lee Woo-Su

A 68-year-old Korean American man who was left brain-dead after a falling accident may save the lives of up to six people as an organ donor.

Jung Sang-gil was the owner of Dae Hung Refrigeration and lived in Los Angeles’ Koreatown for 28 years.

He was declared brain-dead after he fell from a ladder on March 6 while climbing onto a market rooftop located on James M. Wood Blvd. and Bonnie Brae St.

Jung was a giving person who had made it known that he would donate his organs if necessary, his family said. He died on Sunday after his family made the decision to follow his wishes. His liver and kidneys have been donated through surgery, and the hospital will use his lungs and other organs after testing them for compatibility.

He leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter, who is pregnant. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t even get to see his grandchild before passing, said Hyo-soon, his younger sister.

Born in Dae-gu, Jung graduated from Dongguk University with a degree in business management. He began managing the refrigeration services company in 1986 after learning the craft from his father.

The business was small, but he worked hard and was a reliable husband, said his wife, Young-sook. She said she’s thankful that others will have a new chance at life because of his donation.

Mourners and supporters from St. Gregory Catholic Church and from Dongguk University have been pouring into the family’s Koreatown home, where a service is currently being held.

A date for the funeral has not yet been decided, as he remains resting at the LA coroner’s office. “He didn’t need to be out in front. He was always helping others behind the scene,” said his 32-year-old son Min-ki. “He passed helping others until the very end.”