Choon Mo Yang

Grandmaster Choon Mo Yang, 82, of Columbus, passed away on July 12, 2024. He was born in An-San Up, Korea on February 10, 1942 to the late Juu Yang (father) and Keum Ye Yang (mother).

Those left to cherish Choon Mo’s memory include his partner, Gloria Ennis; daughter, Amanda (Trevor) Marvin; son, Jonathan Yang; siblings, Betty, Jeannie, Judy and Jun; and many other family, friends, and students. 

Along with his parents, Choon is preceded in death by his brother, Yun Mo Yang (Sandy) and sister, Tammy (Joe). 

Choon Mo was a child during the Korean war. His father was killed early in the conflict and his family was displaced. As a young adult he studied law and served as a bodyguard for President Park Chung-Hee.

Grandmaster Yang came to the US in 1970 with $1.50. He was extremely proud to become a naturalized citizen of the USA. He was highly respected as the longest standing Tae Kwon Do Master in Central Ohio. During his 54 years in Columbus, he taught thousands of students at his studios, numerous YMCAs, and other well-respected institutions. He was recognized by local, state, and federal officials for his service to the community various times over the decades. Grandmaster Choon Mo Yang inspired countless people with his philosophy and dedication to sharing his knowledge and skills with others. His accomplishments reflect his lifelong dedication to his community, family, and students and his impact on the martial arts world. He will be missed by all. 

Immediate family will greet family, friends and past students for a Celebration of Life from 3pm to 6pm, Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Newcomer Funeral, Northeast Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, 43231. To leave a condolence, or to share a memory, please visit the tribute section of the obituary page. 

An intimate family gathering in honor of Choon will be scheduled at a later date. For the TKD family, a ceremony in honor of GM Yang will be held at Hoover Dam at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his partner, Gloria, to assist with expenses and immediate needs. Donations can be made through her GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/247d266e . The family deeply appreciates any contributions and support during this challenging time.