Close to 1,000 people gathered to mourn the death of Korean American community leader Rocky Kim on Nov. 4 at Church of the Nazarene in Seattle. Kim was shot to death nearly two weeks ago at his Texaco StarMart on Delridge Way West. Police said there is still no suspect in the case.

Leaders from government, business and public sectors from both the Korean and mainstream communities paid tribute to the man whom they admired and respected.

Gov. Gary Locke said Kim "gave a voice to others who might not have been heard. He made life better (for his community and) beyond the Korean community." Locke also read a letter from President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, who offered their condolences to the Kim family.

Remembering him as a handsome and youthful man when they met in 1982, state Sen. Paull Shin spoke about Kim? enthusiasm while campaigning for Asian American political candidates. During his life, he witnessed the victories of Seattle City Council member Martha Choe, state Sen. Paull Shin, Gov. Locke, Shoreline City Council member Cheryl Lee, Federal Way City Council member Michael Park and other Asian Americans in Washington state.

Choe said Kim supported Asian American candidates because it opened doors for his daughter and other Korean Americans to go into politics.

She said Kim "was always there for us" and "always made you feel that he was your best friend . . . He never let you down."

Because Kim was there for everybody, he had to sacrifice time with his family, said Choe. She thanked Kim? family for their understanding and for sharing him with the community.

Kim is survived by his wife Jung Hee and their only child, Sharon, a freshman at the University of Washington.

Shin once asked whether Kim wanted to have a son, since Koreans traditionally prefer sons to daughters.

Kim replied proudly, "She (Sharon) is the best."

Speaking to her dad as he lay in the coffin, while addressing the audience at the same time, Sharon said she was proud of her dad and the man he was. She hopes she will one day have her father? strength and follow in his footsteps by serving the community.

Dignitaries attending the funeral included U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, state Rep. Velma Veloria, state Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert.

Relatives and friends came from as far as South Korea to pay their respects to Kim, his family and the community. David Kim (not related), director of community relations at Anheuser-Busch? headquarters in St. Louis, also attended the funeral.

In honor of Kim, the Korean American Professional Society will name one of its awards the "Rocky Kim Community Service Award."