Ray Sui Hoe Khoo (Khoo Sui Hoe)
July 29, 1939 – May 31, 2026

Ray Sui Hoe Khoo, aged 86, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 29, 1939, in Kedah, Malaysia, to the late Khoo Ah Sok and the late Hong Hoe, Ray lived a life defined by creativity, curiosity, and artistic expression. Known throughout the art world as Khoo Sui Hoe, he devoted more than six decades to the pursuit of art, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that touched collectors, galleries, and fellow artists across Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and beyond.

After studying at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, Ray emerged as one of the pioneering figures of modern Malaysian art. Throughout his distinguished career, he played an important role in nurturing artistic communities. He served as the first Manager-Curator of Alpha Gallery in Singapore and later founded Alpha Utara Gallery in Penang. He was also a founding member of the Utara Group in Penang, one of Malaysia’s most influential artist collectives.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the development of Malaysian art, the Penang State Art Gallery mounted The Painted World of Khoo Sui Hoe: Retrospective of Khoo Sui Hoe in 2007, celebrating his remarkable artistic achievements and enduring influence on the nation’s cultural landscape. His paintings, celebrated for their dreamlike imagery, vibrant colours, and deeply personal symbolism, were exhibited and collected internationally. His works are held in the collections of the Penang State Art Gallery, the Kedah State Art Gallery, the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, the Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, the Singapore Art Museum, the National Gallery Singapore, and the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, among numerous private and institutional collections worldwide.

In 1974, Ray was awarded the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Fund Grant, an early recognition of his artistic promise and achievement. In 1982, he and his family made their home in the United States, first settling in Texas before moving to Arkansas, where he continued his lifelong dedication to painting. Although he exhibited widely throughout the United States, he found particular joy in sharing his work across Asia, maintaining a meaningful connection to his roots, culture, and family.

Despite achieving international recognition as an artist, those closest to him knew him foremost as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His creativity extended far beyond the canvas, enriching the lives of those around him. Throughout his life, he remained deeply connected to both his Southeast Asian heritage and his adopted home in America, continuing to create, exhibit, and inspire well into his later years.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife, Shu Khoo, with whom he co-owned Unique Furniture for 30 years; his children, Yolim, Yomei (Mike), Joanne (Andrew), Angela, and Jolli (Rachel); and his grandchildren, Isabella, Tristan, Gabriella, Joe, Geoffrey, Joseph, and Jason.

Ray’s legacy lives on through the countless works of art he created, the artists he inspired, and the family he cherished. His boundless imagination, artistic vision, generosity of spirit, and gentle nature will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com