Poka Cha

Poka Cha was born in Luang Prabang, Laos. He was the third child and eldest son born to Chong Sa Cha and Ntxawn Vue. He joined the military at a young age and received a sponsorship to immigrate to America in his late teens. He departed to a new country on October 1, 1979 where he traveled alone, unable to speak the language, and unfamiliar with the culture. He established roots in Portland, Oregon and was instrumental in bringing the rest of his family members over to America. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America on June 18, 2012.

He met his wife, Sia Vang, in Portland and they had ten children. He worked for and retired from Sapa Inc, formerly Anodizing Inc, and in 2003, began growing flowers. He became a regular vendor at the Salem Saturday Farmers’ Market and has been selling flowers there for the last 20+ years. In his spare time, Poka was an active person who enjoyed fishing, hunting and a quick game of soccer, volleyball or khawb tawb. He was always interested in learning new food recipes and mastering them. He enjoyed growing vegetables and was especially proud of his cucumbers, pumpkins, and corn. At home, he enjoyed watching Hmong news, travel vlogs in Laos or Thailand, and bull fighting on TV.

Poka Cha is survived by his ten children: Linda Cha, Richard Cha, Karen Cha, Zua Cha, Hlau Cha, Pajmim Cha, Nue Ching Cha, Meyee Cha, Meng Cha, Pajku Cha; his four grandchildren, Xander Paul Hicks, Zeke Sampson Hicks, Garrix Lee Lue Her, Malia Monsé Gomez Cha; and his eleven siblings: Kaying Cha, Hua Cha, Oua Cha, Pa Cha, Xia Cha, Shoua Cha, Sia Cha, Ying Cha, Seng Cha, Teng Cha, Julie Cha