Komkai Bupasiri

Komkai (Kai) Bupasiri (86) May 16 1933 - October 25, 2019 Kai is survived by two sisters, two brothers and five children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Born to Buakai and Ken Bupasiri, in the town of Tha UThen, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, Kai was the oldest of 5 children. Her parents took her out of school after the fourth grade to help them care for her younger siblings who later went on to become educators and administrators. Kai worked tirelessly to help her parents. She grew crops and prepared food to sell, and as soon as she was able to paddle a boat, she helped her dad carry merchandise across the Mekong River into Laos to trade. This was a dangerous endeavor as she witnessed the trauma and brutality of the Japanese invasion during War World II. She later also witnessed the bombing across the Mekong River during the Vietnam era. Little did Kai know that helping her parents to support her siblings would prepare her to raise her own children. She worked hard to cook and sell food as a street vendor. She provided laundry service to hotels, restaurants and American soldiers stationed in town. While working her laundry service, Kai met a US Airman, Walton (Walt) R. Kenner, who married her and adopted all her children and brought them to America. Komkai’s legacy is truly amazing, considering her humble beginnings. Her children and grandchildren have gone on to become high ranking officers in the US military, civil service, and others found successful careers in the private sector. Kai’s life is an American dream - started in hardship and full of adventures and ended with much happiness, love, and respect. She will be dearly missed and always forever in our heart. Favorites: Sayings/Actions: “I love you infinity”. “Take care of each other”. “Your number one”. “Up to you”. “Thank you George Washington”. “I love you”. “Where they at”. Big thumbs up. Songs: I love you more than I can say by Leo Sayer; Thai classic songs