Don Phommachakr

In Loving Memory
DON PHOMMACHAKR
December 5, 1942 - June 28, 2024

We the families
PHOMMACHAKR
BACCAM
PHIMPHIVONG
RATSADAVONG
KANNADY
are deeply saddened to announce
the passing of
MR. DON PHOMMACHAKR
A beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather
who passed away peacefully at the age of 82
on June 28, 2024, at 5:10 p.m.

The wake will be held at
WAT LAO BUDDHAVATH, 1804 E PARK AVENUE, DES MOINES, IOWA 50320
TEL.: 515-282-1801
from Saturday, June 29, 2024, to Friday, July 5, 2024.

Visitation will be held at
HAMILTON’S FUNERAL HOME, 605 LYON STREET, DES MOINES, IOWA 50309
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 and Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at
HAMILTON’S FUNERAL HOME, 605 LYON STREET, DES MOINES, IOWA 50309
on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 2 pm.

After the main service, there will be a processional to
HAMILTON’S NEAR HIGHLAND MEMORY GARDENS, 121 NW 60TH AVE, DES MOINES, IA 50313
where a ceremonial cremation will be performed.

You are cordially invited to the
WAT LAO BUDDHAVATH TEMPLE, 1804 E PARK AVENUE, DES MOINES, IOWA 50320
for a commemorative meal with the families.

Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The final Alms Giving (Lerkmoungkhoun) will be held at
WAT LAO BUDDHAVATH, 1804 E PARK AVENUE, DES MOINES, IOWA 50320

CONTACT PEOPLE:
Tiem Baccam: 515-729-5491
Lauren La Kannady: 916-770-9992
Khampheng Manirath: 515-988-7734
Soukha Phommack: 515-300-1054

All of the families appreciate your blessings
and warm support during this time.

DON PHOMMACHAKR’S BIOGRAPHY

Don Phommachakr was born on December 5, 1942, in Laos and passed away on June 28, 2024. He is survived by his wife and three children. He attended Teachers’ College at the National University of Laos at Dongdok. He attended his senior year of high school at Ames High School, Iowa, in 1963, as an exchange student under the American Field Service Program. He then returned to Laos to complete his final year of secondary education. A year later, in 1964, he received a scholarship under the U.S. AID program to pursue his higher education at the Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa where he received an Associate Degree in 1966. In 1971, he spent a year on educational field training in Australia. Determined to accomplish his higher education ambition, Don Phommachakr went to the University of Hawaii at Honolulu in 1974, but his dream was shattered when Laos fell and a new regime was instituted in 1975.

Don Phommachakr reunited with his family in 1976, when his wife and children came to join him in the United States and resettled in Nevada, Iowa. He served as an ESL teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools from 1977 to 1981. He then joined the Iowa Refugee Service Center in Des Moines until his retirement in 2004. In Laos, Don served as a civil service worker of the Ministry of Education at the Teachers’ College, National University of Loas at Dongdok from 1966 until 1971. He became a finance officer of the Fangum Comprehensive High School in 1972 until 1974. In addition, he also taught the Lao language to the employees of the American and Australian embassies in his spare time.

Don Phommachakr was a fine individual. He was a star soccer player, playing for the accomplished team of the Teachers’ College of Dongdok, and a member of the Lao National Soccer Team competing in several Asian Games. He was a fun-loving, caring, and giving person. His contributions to the Lao community are commendable. He served his community as a volunteer through personal sacrifices in terms of time and effort in the capacity of community organizer, as well as a strong cultural and religious supporter by helping build a Lao Buddhist temple in Des Moines. He was well loved by his family and friends alike. He will be missed by us all. May he rest in eternal peace.

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