Yum Y. King

Yum Y "YY" King MD, 81, of Pine Bluff died January 18, 2017. Preceded in death by his parents, Hunter Wall Yee and Gin Gim Wah, his sister May Gene Norrell and his brother Suen "Bob" Yum, he is survived by his children Cynthia King of Dallas; Charles "Chip" King (Julie) of Little Rock; Chris King (Alicia) of Pine Bluff; Jason King of Little Rock; Stuart King (Abby) of Conway; step-son Chris Baker (Becky) of Mayflower; grandchildren Ethan, Raines, Emily, Khyler, Hunter, Ella, Kate Leigh, and Kimber; brother Art Yum of Dallas; niece Meredith Bland; nephew, Jeffrey Norrell; many cousins, extended family, and dear friends. Born February 5, 1935 near Canton, China, his parents brought him to Eudora, Arkansas where his father operated a grocery store. After graduating from Eudora High School, YY attended the University of Wisconsin, then UA-Monticello and graduated from medical school at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. After medical school, YY served in the US Air Force at Jacksonville, then San Antonio, Texas for flight school. He was a captain and a flight surgeon. When his service concluded, he originally trained in OBGYN at Kansas City, then in ophthalmology in Arkansas, serving as chief resident his final year. YY set up practice in Pine Bluff where he was on staff at JRMC. YY was a pioneer in refractive surgery, performing the first radial keratotomy procedure in Arkansas and opening one of the nation's first outpatient surgery centers devoted to ophthalmology. YY participated in several medical missions in India, Nepal, and the USSR. In 1991 he arranged a trip to China for family to visit the village where he was born. YY brought back the antique bed he slept in as a child. Services are Monday, January 23rd, 2 p.m., Ralph Robinson & Son Chapel, Reverend Todd Howard officiating. Private committal follows. Visitation is Monday, 12:30-1:45 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials requested to the donor's favorite charity. Online condolences: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.