Official obituary written by USC Sports Information
Surl Kim, who operated a Los Angeles travel agency that specialized in sports tours, including for 41 years to USC athletic events, died on Wednesday (July 18) in Los Angeles. He was 91.
Kim founded Kim Tours & Travel in 1953, becoming the first person to start organized sports tours to the Rose Bowl and later the Super Bowl. He organized his first USC tour to the 1969 football game at Notre Dame. He continued chartering trips for thousands of Trojan fans to football games and other athletic road contests through 2010.
The popular Kim, known for his outgoing and colorful personality, graduated from USC in the early 1950s after serving as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II.
Surl Kim, who operated a Los Angeles travel agency that specialized in sports tours, including for 41 years to USC athletic events, died on Wednesday (July 18) in Los Angeles. He was 91.Kim founded Kim Tours & Travel in 1953, becoming the first person to start organized sports tours to the Rose Bowl and later the Super Bowl. He organized his first USC tour to the 1969 football game at Notre Dame. He continued chartering trips for thousands of Trojan fans to football games and other athletic road contests through 2010.
The popular Kim, known for his outgoing and colorful personality, graduated from USC in the early 1950s after serving as a navigator in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II.
Kim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dorothy (a 1956 USC graduate), sons Tracy, Bruce and Russell, daughter Toni, 3 grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Services will be held at noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Little Church of the Flowers at Forest Lawn Glendale (1712 So. Glendale Ave., Glendale 91205).
Donations in Kim's memory can be made to the USC Athletic Department, c/o Ron Orr, Heritage Hall 203A, 3501 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602.
Services will be held at noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Little Church of the Flowers at Forest Lawn Glendale (1712 So. Glendale Ave., Glendale 91205).
Donations in Kim's memory can be made to the USC Athletic Department, c/o Ron Orr, Heritage Hall 203A, 3501 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602.
