Ya Pao Mua

Ya Pao Mua was born on May 9, 1951, in the village of Sukai Mong Muang, along the Nam Khu River. Ya Pao was adopted by his mother’s family, Nkias Vab and Niam Nkias Vab Mua, after the passing of his birth family. Ya Pao married his wife, Kao Chong Xiong, in the early 1970s and started their family. Due to the war, Ya Pao led his family to the Ban Nam Yao refugee camp, along the border into Thailand. In March of 1980, after living in the refugee camp for 5 years, Ya Pao and his family came to the United States. Their first home was Denver, Colorado but soon followed his brother in laws and family out west to California, settling in the city of Merced until he took his last breath. Ya Pao passed away on June 15, 2024. His wife, preceded in death, in May of 2019. They are survived by their daughters and son in laws (Mao & Russ, Yua & Ted, Ngia & Tony, Tong & None, Nancy & David, Lee & Phung, Jenny (deceased), and Jennifer), sons and daughter in laws (Sue & Kassie, Seng, Jang & Nancy, Joe & Zong, and Mark & Alex), and 35 grandchildren. Ya Pao was a proud soldier, serving in the CIA’s Special Guerilla Unit under General Vang Pao during the Secret War. He was a good swimmer and enjoyed hunting & fishing. He shared many adventures with his family. He was also a farmer and a gardener. Ya Pao and his wife enjoyed days of harvesting and nights of watering their plants. He was also a man of the community, volunteering his time with the Merced Lao Family. And prior to his death, he would spend his days listening to podcasts and watching his favorite shows, his evenings were spent walking around the yard or teaching his grandchildren tricks only a grandfather would know, and nights calling his children to check up on them, even in their adult years. Ya Pao will truly be missed, not only by his community, not only by his children, but mostly by his grandchildren who embraced their “Yawg” with all his imperfections and loving heart. On behalf of our family, we want to convey our deepest appreciation for your love, support, and comfort during this most challenging time.