Sam Oupekha Keomuongchanh

Oupekha Sam Keomuongchanh was born in Thakheh, Laos on November 26, 1939. After high school graduation, he was accepted to the Officer Candidate School with the Royal Lao Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1963. During his tenure, he was selected to attend extensive military training in the United States including Leadership and Armor Training in Fort Knox, KY; Technical Training in Lackland AFB, TX and Infantry Officer Training in Ft. Benning, GA. His highest rank was a Captain.

The family fled Laos to Thailand’s refugee camp after the country had fallen under to the Communist control. He and his family emigrated from Thailand to the United States in October 1976, settling in Rochester, NY.

Oupekha worked tirelessly at Strong Memorial Hospital, McDonald’s and a Chinese restaurant doing odd jobs to support his wife and seven children because they came to the United States with no resources. He eventually was able to secure a job with Kodak then took an early retirement to accept a position as a Paraprofessional with the City of Rochester School District.

Oupekha was very passionate about helping the community and dedicated his life to doing so. He became instrumental in helping to form Wat Lao Asokaram in Rochester, NY in 1993. He was a member of the following organizations: American Legion Post 1501, Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals, Wat Lao Asokaram, Wat Lao Buddharam and Lao American Association of NC.

Oupekha and his wife decided to relocate to Concord, NC after retiring from the City of Rochester School District in 2010 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Oupekha passed away on April 13, 2017. He is survived by Bounthong, his wife of 56 years, along with his seven children: Oupangna, Vasana, Mekdara, Anoura, Athida, Darouny, and Manimone; fifteen grandchildren: Anoudeth, Melissa, Zachary, Porshe, Mekdara, Chanthanom, Ketpanom, Jentavie, Anuroc, Paige, Peyton, Jessica, Luke, Logan, and Lea; four siblings: brothers, Prathana of Illinois and Orotchana of Texas; sisters Mekha of Kansas and Keophila of Illinois. He was preceded by his parents, an older sister and a younger brother.

May his soul rest in peace.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service, Charlotte, NC.