Khambay Thirakoun Obituary (1951 - 2017)

Khambay Thirakoun passed away on Monday, September 18th, at his home in Kearns, UT with his family at his side. Khambay was born on September 9, 1951 in Luang Prabang, Laos. His mother passed away when he was just 9 years old. Just three years later when he was 12, his father passed away. Khambay went to live with his Uncle who raised him through adulthood. After he finished high school, he enlisted in the Laotian Army. He served in the Army for the next seven years. Towards the end of his 7 years in the military, he got sick with malaria while he was deployed in the Laotian jungle. He got sent to a military hospital in Vientiane. While in the hospital, he met and later married his wife Soutsada. Their marriage would last for more than 40 years. In 1978, Khambay and Soutsada welcomed their first-born child, Steasi into the world. Two years later, in 1980, their son Pele was born. In May of 1981 the family crossed the Mekong river to escape Communist Laos. They stayed in a refugee camp in Thailand for six months before immigrating to the US. Khambay first moved his family to Hawaii, and then to California before settling in Utah in 1992. Perhaps because he lost both his parents at an early age, or perhaps because of his kind and gentle nature he was completely devoted to his wife and children. Khambay’s son, Pele, described him as his father, his friend, and his king. Khambay promised Pele he would never leave his side; he kept that promise. He gave his undivided attention to his two children throughout his life – it was the best gift a father could give to his kids. Khambay enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. He loved to take the family on vacations. Khambay was warm, friendly, and loved people. He was very good at fixing things – especially cars. And if you were his friend, or even just an acquaintance, he would help you with anything. Khambay is survived by his wife of 40 years, Soutsada; his son Pele; his daughter Steasi, and his three grandchildren Matthew, Maryssa, and Alexandria. Funeral Services are to be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 2:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095.