Pao Ly

Pao Ly was called home to the Lord on August 8, 2020. He is succeeded by his wife Chao Ly; his children Pe Ying Ly (Kia Ly, wife), Mary Kay Ly Kong (Teng Kong, husband), Nuj Tsing Ly (Nicole Ly, wife), Nancy Dee Ly, Tou Lee Ly (Jasmine Ly, wife), Olivia K. Chang (Kajsiab Chang, husband), Penny P. Ly, Christopher T. Ly. His grandchildren include Nathaniel Ly, Zachary Ly, Helena Kong, Alex Ly, AJ Ly, Jayden Ly, Branden Yang, Paige Ly, Nevaeh Yang, Kyndall Ly, Kyan Ly, Bryson Ly, Liam Kong, Kayla Ly, Emma Ly, Emerson Nuguid, Talida Ly, Faith Ly. His siblings that survived him include Cha Meng Ly, Sia Ly-Lo, Maisee Ly, Blong Ly, Lyla Ly, and many nieces and nephews.

Pao Ly, the fifth eldest of 9 siblings (4 sisters and 4 brothers; Sua Ly, Nyiaj Cib Ly, Cai Muas Ly, Tshaj Meej Lis, Sia Ly, Maisee Ly, Nplooj Ly, Ntxhoo Ly) was born on November 10, 1948 in Phu Bia, Xieng Khouang; Laos. His parents were Zong Neng Ly and Xay Yang Ly and came to know Christ in 1951 when Pao was the age of 3. Pao Ly married his wife and life partner, Chao Ly, November 1971 in Long Tieng, Laos, became father of 8 children and grandfather to 18 grandchildren. Pao Ly had many friends. He developed significant connections with everyone that came into his life through his community of brothers and sisters in Christ, the community of Hmong people and his sponsors that guided his way to the United States. Pao Ly had a passion for church ministry and being a witness of Christ which in turn, led him to adamantly studying the Bible, history, current events and considered it as his personal pass time and relaxation. Besides studying, Pao Ly also enjoyed a variety of hobbies; hunting, fixing cars, working on house projects, traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren. When he finally sat down to relax, it was to watch his favorite T.V. show, “The Price is Right”, and “NHK World Network”. Growing up, Pao Ly spent his early childhood years in Laos and in the refugee camp in Thailand and was called by the United States Government to serve as a Militaristic aid in the late 60’s to early 70’s during the Secret and Vietnam War. Pao assisted the United States by transporting weapons at the airport day and night until he sustained an injury by indirect fire 1971 and was hospitalized for two months. He decided and applied for safe passage to the United States in 1975 to pursue a better life for his family and finally arrived in Seattle Washington April of 1976 where Pao’s first job was a dishwasher in Ballard Washington, and then a bilingual teacher’s aide. Shortly after, he moved his family to Salem Oregon in 1979 and then to Stockton California in 1983. In pursuance of education, he completed his GED diploma in Lodi California which he received in 1987. He continued his ministry with the Stockton Hmong Alliance Church to help build one of the first Hmong churches in the United States. His vision was to serve Christ and he continued to share the gospel throughout his community door to door. In 1990, he moved his family back to Seattle to be close to his parents where Pao continued his ministry with his destination being Outreach Hmong Alliance Church. Pao Ly was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many people and will be missed by everyone who had known him..

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 4-8pm and Saturday, August 22, 2020, 8am-11am at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4504 Broadway, Everett, WA.

A private graveside will follow at Washington Memorial Park, SeaTac, Washington.