Sung Moon Cho, born on December 4, 1943, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, at the age of 82. A man of deep faith and resilience, Sung Moon lived a life marked by enthusiasm and a genuine love for people.

Sung Moon was born in Hwanghae-do Province, Korea, to parents from a long lineage of landowners. From birth, he faced serious health challenges. He was initially misdiagnosed with tuberculosis, when in fact he suffered from bronchiectasis, which prevented him from attending school regularly until the fifth grade.

Despite these obstacles, Sung Moon excelled academically. He graduated from Kyunggi High School in 1962 and went on to attend Seoul National University, where he majored in mathematics.

On August 2, 1968, Sung Moon came to the United States to pursue graduate studies. He earned his master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania and later pursued doctoral studies at SUNY Stony Brook. It was there, on Long Island in 1971, that he met Aija Kim, a gifted pianist who would become his wife and lifelong partner in faith and mission.

After a season apart while Aija pursued her piano studies in Vienna, they reunited in the US and were married on March 2, 1974, in Houston, Texas. Together they became members of Seoul Baptist Church in Houston, where both were baptized. Sung Moon was ordained as a deacon while working as a geophysicist at Texas Instruments.

Sung Moon and Aija raised their two daughters, Catherine and Danielle. The family later moved to California and became members of Grace Korean Church in Orange County. In 1993, a life-changing mission trip to Russia clarified their sense of God’s calling to serve as music missionaries. Their journey of service took them to Korea (2006–2012) and Wales, United Kingdom (2013–2019), where they were ordained as full-time missionaries in 2013 by Grace Mission International.

Throughout their ministry, Sung Moon and Aija traveled extensively—sharing God’s love through music in Japan, Israel, Mongolia, Taiwan, Singapore, Poland, France, Germany, England, and Spain. Wherever he went, Sung Moon loved connecting with people, driven by genuine curiosity and a deep care for others.

In 2019, they moved to Virginia to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Known affectionately by his grandchildren as “Camera Halabogee,” Sung Moon wanted to capture every moment through photography. His YouTube videos featuring Aija’s music have reached thousands around the world and remain a meaningful part of his legacy. In 2025, he also contributed to Aija’s book, The Red Piano.

His medical journey included the removal of half of one lung at age 18 and a second life-saving surgery in 2003 that removed the remaining portion. Despite later living with congestive heart failure, Sung Moon embraced life with passion and gratitude. He loved his family and friends deeply and never missed an opportunity to talk with someone new.

Sung Moon’s life reflected the verse he loved: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

He is survived by his beloved wife, Aija Kim Cho; his daughters, Catherine Bae and Danielle Cho; his grandchildren Clara Bae, Jemma Bae, and Matthew Bae; his brother Sung Joon Cho and sisters Sung Ai Song and Sungran Suwanda; and many friends and fellow believers around the world whose lives were touched by his warmth, faith, and passion for life.