YANKEE T. KUE
Nplaj Yaaj Kwm ( Bla Yang Kue )
Nearly seventy years ago in a small village in the mountains of Laos, a son was born to Chong Tou Kue and Ying Her in the year 1949. They named him Yang. To have the first born, as a son was ecstatic joy to his parents. A son is to bare the name and legacy of the Kue’s linage.
Farming was the way of life in the mountains. One day mother Ying went to work at her farm and heard a calling for her. Not knowing what it was or it could be, she answered. A few days later, she fell sick and passed away leaving the young boy Yang to his widowed father Chong Tou to care for. No women in the village would feed Yang their breast milk so his father fed him pumpkin soup in place of breast milk. That made his belly became enlarged. The young boy Yang cannot survive without a mother, so Chong Tou decided to remarry.
Chong Tou then married Song Hang to be his wife and help him care for his son Yang. Chong Tou and Song had three sons together (Yag, Nyaj and Lee). Yag did not survive. After the youngest son was a month old, Chong Tou was invited by his cousin to go hunting. Tragically, Chong Tou was accidentally shot by his cousin and died. As hmong tradition, Song Hang remarried into the Kue family and had two daughters, (Rhav and Paaj). After the funeral, Uncle Num Suav Kue took the young boy Yang to be one of his own.
In 1964, the family had to flee their village because of war. They resettled in Long Chieng. Yang attended primary school in a town called Samthong in the northwestern part of Long Chieng. After he finished schooling, he served in the Vietnam War (Secret Gorilla Unit). Then he became an avid Christian in his early years. Sharing his personal testimony about Christ throughout the villages of Laos. That’s when he met his first wife Zoua Her. She was also an avid believer herself. They got married and had two sons together. Yang was named to Bla Yang as a traditional new elder name. Years gone by and with his active duty as a soldier, he often left home but he would send his military income to support his family.
There was a death in the Kue clan and no one would take in a young family to care for but Bla Yang, decided to married Yia Yang to be his second wife. He took care of her and her young children as his own (Choj, Ntsum, Tsheej, Cua, Cai, and Tsaab). Then the Vietnam War erupted. Bla Yang had to serve his duty as a father to protect his family and to defend his country from invading enemies. The family was separated when the communist regime took control of Laos. Not knowing if his wives and children survived, he fled to Thailand to take refuge. There, he met his third wife Song Vang. He often returned to Laos and look for his missing family and eventually found them. He brought all of them to the U.S and eventually settled in Detroit, Michigan.
As he lived in Detroit, he bought a home big for his two wives and all his children. Bla Yang, continuing his determination he wanted more education. He took night classes and East Detroit High School and earned his High School Diploma there in 1987.
As the years pasted, the two other wives parted ways with Bla Yang. Zoua remained loyal to him and remained by his side until he passed away on Thursday May 17, 2018.
As the years pasted Bla Yang had more children. From Zoua Her, they had 6 children together: Sak Khai, Tou Shia (deceased), Kong, Keo, Catherine, and Kertkcab. From Yia Yang, they had one daughter: Koukhasha (Nkauj). From Song Vang, they had 3 daughters: Pa Kou, Xeng Yen (deceased) and Cha.
These are his grand children from all of his children: Nhia Khai & Mai See Yang: Clara Kue. Kong: Ethan Kue, Colin Kue, and Logan Kue. Keo & Muaj Yis Vang: Daphny Vang, Sylvie Vang, Lex Vang, and Genesa Vang. Koukhasha & Looj Tuam Tom Lee: Madison Lee, Mason Lee. Catherine: Sedric Purifoy, and Theron Crawford Jr. Kert & Chu: Newlywed no children yet.
Bla Yang became active in the Hmong Community of Detroit, Michigan. He served as President of Laos Family from 1987-1992. He earned a key of the city of Detroit from Mayor Coleman Young, as a great contributor to community services. He was not only a great leader to the Kue clan, but also a great leader in the whole hmong community. Bla Yang was a very influential person. Many people respected and adored him. He was well known for a very loud crisp voice and big smile. Every time he gave a speech, a microphone was not needed. He is an intelligent and wise man. He had a big heart and always welcomed everyone. His house was always opened to host guests. He is an honorable man and he has done many good deeds for many people. He will be cherished forever in our hearts. We hope and pray that our Heavenly Father has given you rest. Until see we you again one day. We LOVE YOU and will miss you.
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