John Dua Vang

John Dua Vang, 74, of Hensley, AR passed away peacefully on 2/3/2026. He was born in Loom Moos, Laos on 1/4/1952, the eldest of three children to the late Nhia Neng Vang and True Yang Vang. He follows his children Pia Vang and Debra Lee Vang and leaves behind his wife Sua Lo Vang; children May Youa Inthathirath, Ko Chong Vang, Ia Hagan, Ong Vang, Mhoob Vang; and sister May Youa Lee.

John lived an incredible life. From humble beginnings, he received a full scholarship to study in Pas Khaus then continued to the university in Vientiane. He spoke five languages (Hmong, Lao, Thai, French & English) and was an entrepreneur starting his own taxi service and many other successful business ventures with his family in Laos prior to the Vietnam War. During “The Secret War”, he was a soldier for the U.S.-backed allied forces then served as a firefighter for Air America operated by the CIA.

He and his family came to the U.S. as political refugees in 1975, after which he sponsored several family members for resettlement in the U.S. John achieved an Electrical Engineering Associates Degree at ITT Technical Institute. He worked for Jacuzzi designing water jets and for CoorsTek as a Machinist. Every Saturday John and Sua sold their home-grown vegetables at Little Rock’s downtown River Market and made many friends. He was featured in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette newspaper with his vegetables and on an episode of AETN channel 2 for a documentary on the Hmong people.

As a naturalized citizen, John was a patriot who loved the U.S. and a symbol of hard work and resilience. He was a Hmong leader who cared deeply for others, an orator and storyteller, a gregarious host to his relatives and friends, and a kind and honest person. He enjoyed playing soccer, Kataw (kick volleyball), fishing, hunting, playing his Qeej (musical instrument) and spending time with family. Above all John valued education and his proudest achievement was seeing all his children complete college.

He will always be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Sua and children: May and Xay Inthathirath, Ko and Patrick Lim, Ia and Jason Hagan, Ong Vang, and Mhoob and Poua Vang. His generous spirit lives on in his grandchildren: Grace Inthathirath, Johnathan Inthathirath, Chelsea Inthathirath, Aidan Lim, Felix Lim, Abel Hagan, and Henry Hagan.

Family and friends may gather for visitation on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 10 am - 9 pm at Pinecrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, AR 72002.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2 pm at East End Baptist Church, 4701 East End Rd. Hensley, AR 72065. Burial will take place immediately following at Pinecrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, AR 72002. Pallbearers are Pao Vang, Xay Inthathirath, Patrick Lim, Jason Hagan, Mhoob Vang and Abel Hagan.