Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has paid tribute to the late Jimmy Wan, one of Papua New Guinea’s earliest Chinese-Papua New Guinean coffee growers and a devoted Christian philanthropist, who passed away peacefully in Brisbane on 24 June 2025 at the age of 89.
Prime Minister Marape described Mr Wan as a “quiet nation-builder” whose contributions to agriculture, faith, and community upliftment exemplified the very spirit of Papua New Guinea.
“Jimmy Wan’s life is a story of faith, humility, and service. He pioneered Papua New Guinea’s entry into the international coffee industry at a time when very few dared to take such steps, especially among our Chinese-PNG community,” the Prime Minister said.
“He later turned his success into service, restoring and rebuilding churches across the country with his own hands and resources. His legacy is both spiritual and economic, and will live on in the generations that follow.”
Born in Lae in 1935, Jimmy Wan was part of the Wan Jin Wah family — one of the earliest Chinese families to settle in PNG. In 1956, he became the first Chinese-PNG individual to plant coffee commercially in the Highlands, founding the now-renowned Korona Coffee plantation.
Despite facing personal challenges, including depression and a speech impediment, Mr Wan rose to prominence in the coffee world, with his beans reaching some of the most prestigious markets globally.
Upon retiring, Mr Wan devoted himself to restoring key churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG), beginning with St Andrew’s Lutheran Church at Ampo. Over two decades, he helped rebuild more than 10 churches across Morobe, the Highlands, Manus, and beyond — including Bukawa Church, St Paul’s Lae, Busamang, and Calvary Lutheran Church.
“Mr Wan never sought fame or media attention. He was a man of deep conviction who simply wanted to give back to the God who sustained him,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“As we mark 50 years of Independence, it is important to honour individuals like Jimmy Wan— whose silent sacrifices and unwavering faith helped build our young nation.”
The Prime Minister extended his deepest sympathies to Mr Wan’s wife Rowena, his children Terry, Warren and Cathy and the entire Wan family, as well as the wider Lutheran Church community.
“Papua New Guinea mourns the passing of a man who quietly shaped our country — through every tree he planted, every church he rebuilt, and every life he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.”
A Celebration of Life service for Mr Wan will be held on Thursday, 10 July 2025, at St Marks Lutheran Church, Mount Gravatt East, Brisbane, followed by interment at the Mount Gravatt Cemetery.