Kham Koy Jay Baccam

Kham Koy Jay Baccam, 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at his home in Pleasant Hill, surrounded by his beloved family. Kham Koy was born on July 6, 1942, in Muang Muoi, Taidam (present-day Thuan Chau, Vietnam) to Cam and Nhau Baccam. He was known for being a courageous yet humble man. For even some of his own children, his story has only recently been unfolded. He was never pretentious or self-serving and remained humble his entire life.
Kham Koy attended Cadet School in 1955 and then went on to Officer School in Vientiane, Laos where he graduated in 1961. Subsequently, he studied at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base and graduated from the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox in 1968. Kham Koy earned the rank of Major with the Royal Lao Army. As a Tank Commander, he led hundreds of his soldiers to fight fiercely against enemy forces during the Vietnam War in hopes of keeping his country, Taidam, free from communist rule. With Laos’ impending take-over in 1975 and the looming shift in political power, Kham Koy hastily led his family out of their beloved homeland and, with the help of the U.S. Government, specifically Iowa’s Governor, Robert Ray, was able to safely immigrate to the U.S.
Now retired from military service, Kham Koy enjoyed playing volleyball, fishing, watching horse races, writing, singing, and listening to Lao music. More than anything, he loved his family and enjoyed being surrounded by them. He, alongside his wife, helped raise 3 generations of children who all adored him. Once a fierce military leader, Major Kham Koy Baccam rose to the rank of Ai Tow, Grandpa and Papa. An eternally loving, gentle and kind soul, he was loved by all and will always be missed but never forgotten.
He is survived by his loving wife, Bien Heathre Baccam; his remaining siblings; many relatives; his children, Brian (Leng) Baccam; Thonexay (Souk) Xayavong; Steve (Manida) Baccam; David (Cedra) Baccam; Dawn (David) Baumunk; Renee Strickler; Mari (Mark) Nakayama; Kevin Baccam; Luna (Herbie) Baccam; Tony (Nina) Baccam and his 28 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cam Baccam; his mother, Nhau Baccam; several siblings and many other relatives.
Services honoring Kham Koy Jay Baccam’s life will be held Saturday December 14, 2019 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. Visitation will be from 1-3:00PM with funeral services immediately following. http://www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com/services/services_detail.aspx?rid=48615
Charitable donations are being accepted in Kham Koy Jay Baccam’s name at NuLife Church https://www.facebook.com/NulifeChurch located at 4200 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, Iowa 50310.

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