Frederic "Fred" Kwai Tin Chun, who built his family business from a single shoe store into a mini retail empire, has died. He was 88.

Chun, who died June 24, was past president and chairman of the board for Chun Kim Chow, a fixture in Hawai'i retailing for 93 years and one of the oldest continuing family businesses here. The shoe and clothing retailer closed about 20 stores — including Robins Shoe Stores, Ethel's, Wildflowers and Body Shop — in 2002.

In its heyday of the 1980s and '90s, the company had stores in almost every mall in the state, said Cheryl Kong, Chun's daughter.

"All the stores are gone now except for Robins at Ala Moana," Kong said. "The competition just became too hard at that time. It was time. My dad was 83 at the time and he was old too."

In addition to the retail empire, Chun developed his mother's real estate holdings in Waikiki, McCully and Punahou. He built the Waikiki Circle, which is now a boutique hotel, and two apartment buildings, the McCully Circle and the Punahou Circle. The properties are still owned by the family under the Emma Kwock Chun Corp. name.

"My dad was a very good filial son," Kong said. "He helped make my mother's dreams come true."

Chun also was vice president of City Bank, vice chairman of the board of City Finance and Mortgage Inc. and chairman of the board for Citibank Properties, all local financial institutions specializing in loans to local residents.

"My dad always helped out in the community," Kong said. "He had a high moral character. He's of that generation that emphasized being a gentleman."

Chun is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruby; sons Theron and Raynard; daughters Cheryl Kong and Gwyned Lum; sister Victoria; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Taoist services throughout; burial will be at 12:45 p.m. at Diamond Head Memorial Park Cemetery.