January 2, 1949 – August 20, 2024
Edmund Soohoo, a beloved figure in the Los Angeles Chinatown community, passed away on August 20, 2024, at the age of 75. Born in Boyle Heights and raised in Chinatown, Los Angeles, Edmund attended local schools and earned a degree in sociology from Cal State L.A. During his college years, he completed clinical work at Resthaven Psychiatric Hospital, located in Chinatown, where he gained profound insights working in the psychiatric ward.
Edmund’s career was rooted in community service, beginning at Alpine Recreation Center and Chinatown Teen Post. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run, a cornerstone event celebrating the Lunar New Year, which has grown to be one of the largest and longest-running charity races in the U.S. His dedication to this race, and the community it supports, was a source of immense pride throughout his life.
Edmund later shifted his focus to the beer distribution industry, where he worked with major brands such as Budweiser and Coors. In this capacity, he played a key role in supporting local community events, providing sponsorships that included both product donations and financial backing. Despite his success in the business world, Edmund’s passion for community service never waned. He eventually returned to this calling at PACE (Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment), where he dedicated himself to mentoring individuals and helping them secure employment opportunities.
His commitment to service was evident through his involvement in various organizations, where he served on the board at Alpine Recreation Center, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Fong Lun Family Association, Historical Cultural North Neighborhood Council, CCAC (Chinatown Community Advisory Committee-Community Redevelopment Agency/L.A.), and other community-based organizations.
Edmund was predeceased by his first wife, Charlotte Murakami Soohoo. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Liane (Kelley) and Kelly, and by marriage, Matthew (Nicole), Jeffrey (Amanda), and Bradford (Sae Mi); and grandchildren, Theo and Langston.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2 p.m. at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, 505 East Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee to continue his legacy of bringing people together, fostering healthy lifestyles and creating impact through scholarships to schools.