Charles Wai Hing Goo

On January 3, 2024, Charles Wai Hing Goo departed this life from his family home, a place rich with history, built on the site of the former Old Plantation Store in Laie, Hawaii. Charlie's journey was one marked by unwavering love and devotion to his Savior and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Until his last breath, he seized every opportunity to testify of Christ and exemplify Christ-like love and compassion in his interactions with others. His was a lifetime dedicated to service.

Charlie was born on December 13, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Charles Kan Chiu Goo and Mildred York Kwai Chun. At the age of 9, his family moved from Honolulu to Laie, where they operated the Old Plantation Store to support the development of what later became Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-H). This move and the proximity to the temple played a pivotal role in shaping Charlie's character. His gratitude for his parents' examples and teachings fueled a lifetime of service.

Growing up in Laie, Charlie developed a profound love for the community and the Kahuku Red Raiders. He played basketball at Kahuku High School and was actively engaged in the scouting program, church activities, and seminary. Laie, to him, was a sacred place where he experienced academic, social, and spiritual growth, and he carried a strong desire to pass on the gifts he received to others.

As a young adult, Charlie served as a missionary in Hong Kong from 1965 to 1968 in the Southern Far East Mission. Afterward, his educational journey led him to earn a B.S. in Statistics/Math from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah (BYU) (1970); a Master’s in Business Management from Central Michigan University (1978); and a Doctorate of Higher Education Administration from BYU (1982). In 1969, he married Helen Shiu Kuen Kwong of Hong Kong in the Laie Hawaii Temple, a union that brought profound joy and purpose to his life. He met Helen in Hawaii just before receiving his mission call. They corresponded for two and a half years, met again at BYU in Provo, and one and a half years later, they were sealed to each other in the temple.

Charlie participated in the Army ROTC at BYU in Provo. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer and served for two years in Germany computerizing payroll systems.

When his service ended, he returned to Hawaii. His plans for a business venture shifted as he became involved in computerizing the payroll at BYU-H, eventually serving in roles such as Registrar, Director of Admissions, and Associate Dean of Students. Altogether he served at BYU-H over a span of 37 years, which was interrupted only by other assignments to serve in the Church or when he furthered his education. He worked in student counseling, recruitment, admissions, new student experience, career services, international student assistance, and alumni relations. He finished his career as the Associate Dean of Students. From 2017 to 2019, he served a service mission as the BYU-H Chaplain.

He had many experiences early on at BYU-H helping students which changed his focus from making money to helping students lay a solid foundation for the rest of their lives. To Charlie, this meant getting an education but also maintaining focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wanted students to connect with God, to be good people, and to become more Christ-like which he was able to put into action as the Bishop of the BYU-H 3rd Ward from 1977 to 1981.

His greatest sense of accomplishment came from helping students. While on campus, he asked himself each day, “Who can I help today?” He did not want students to face an administrative run-around. He wanted to solve their problems so they could go to class, graduate, and serve their communities.

Charlie retired when he and Helen were called to preside over the Hong Kong China Temple from 2007 to 2010. They later served another mission in New York in the Manhattan Chinatown Ward from 2015 to 2017; and another service mission in Hong Kong from 2019 to 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic cut it short.

A recurring theme in Charlie's life was the belief that unto whom much is given, much is required. He accepted every Church calling with the commitment to magnify it, believing that the more he gave, the more he would receive. As the President of the Hong Kong Mission from 1986 to 1989, he worked to increase local missionary participation, maintaining lifelong connections with those whom he served. He and Helen were highly devoted to their missionary “sons” and “daughters.” He maintained regular communication with them decades after their service ended and was familiar with their challenges, struggles and successes.

Charlie was diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma in November 2022. His big, loving heart eventually became exhausted from fighting cancer, and he passed away peacefully at home. His family is grateful for all the medical care he received while he underwent various treatments.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Helen; five children – Charlene (Cody), Pleasant Grove, UT; Cheryl (Chris), Laie, HI; Cherisse (Alfred), Laie, HI; Spencer (Megan), Laie, HI; and LeGrand (Crystal), Mililani, HI; as well as 21 grandchildren, each of whom have brought immeasurable joy to his life. He is also survived by three sisters: Gerry (Ben) Nihipali, Laie, HI; Cynthia (Clarence) Fong, Hawaii Kai, HI; and Eloise (Jeff) Tyau, Laie, HI. He is preceded in death by his sister, Joann Lau and his parents, Charles KC and Mildred YK Goo. His legacy of service, love, and devotion will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Funeral services will be held January 25 at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 55-630 Naniloa Loop, Laie, Hawaii. A public viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

For those unable to attend in person, funeral services will be available online at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/…

Private burial will take place at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make direct donations to BYU-Hawaii’s iWork Educational Fund: In Memory / In Honor of “Charles Goo”.

https://donate.churchofjesusc…

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/charles-goo/obituary/

Copy