Yod Chanthaphon

Yod Chanthaphon, 88, passed away March 19, 2012, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

He was born in Savannakhet Province, Laos, to Khampew and Chantha Chanthaphon, and he spent most of his life in Laos. After completing his middle high school education, Yod was inducted as a Buddhist monk and served for eight years. He then was enlisted to serve his native country in the Lao Royal Army under the French Colony for 33 years as the Head Parachuting Instructor, until he was captured by the Lao Communists. They held him captive in the Communist concentration camps for over nine years and then he was released. Then, he moved to Ban Maknao ("village of lemons") in the Vientiane Province, Laos, along with his family, where he and most of his children became hired-men. Seven years later, they migrated to refugee camps in Thailand and later to the United States.

Yod and his family were sponsored by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) through Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, where they were baptized into the Christian faith. He was a God loving man who devoted his last 20 plus years serving God and other people unselfishly along with Pastor Onechan Keoouthai. He set a great example for his children and others alike. His last wish is that all his children would come together dedicating their lives to serve God as he did.

Yod is survived by his wife, Bounthanh Chanthaphon; his children, Khamla (Phonsy) Chanthaphon, Koumphon (An Vo) Chanthaphon, Phomhom Chanthaphon, Sornphit Chanthaphon, Jasmine Chanthaphon, Koumpha (Nikki) Chanthaphon, Pon Chanthaphon (Amy), Bounchan (Uyen) Chanthaphon, Belle Chanthaphon, Sisavart (Jenn) Chanthaphon, and Art-na (Fred) Adda; three nieces and nephews: Virasanh Thiravong, Soudachanh Manivong, and Chanthaphon Sayakouman; and seventeen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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