Nouanta Inthirath

Name: Nouanta Inthirath

Date of birth: 6.15.44

Place of birth: Ban Labanam, Muang Songkhone, Savannakhet Province

Father’s name: Khamla Inthirath (1913-1997)

Mother’s name: Chantha Inthirath (1910-2008)

Education: Elementary Ban Labanam 1952-1958 – CEPCEL

High School: Lycee Vientiane 1959-1968 – DE +BE, BAC

Bangkok Technology Institute 1968-1973 - BE + BS

Family Statute: Married with Ms Vanhly Phanmaha 1973

and have one daughter (Vanida) 11-16-75

I have two younger brothers and one younger sister.

The first one Mr Lounla Inthirath

The second one Mrs Khamphay Inthirath

The third one Mr Somphong Inthirath

All of them still living in Laos.

I had been working in the Ministry of National Economy for five years (1973-1978) and was government officer ED 3rd Rank. At that time I also participated working with United Nation as a Project Coordinator of UNDP/UNIDO and ECAFE (4 years)

UNDP = United Nation Development Program

UNIDO = United Nation Industry Development Organization

ECAFE = Economy Commission for Asia and the Far East

Termination of my work was cause by the Communist took over. (1978)

My parent’s family had moved to Ban Nake, Savannakhet Province and decided to make the permanent home there since 1990. . .

My father died in November 24, 1997

I came to Oklahoma City in Feb 26, 1980.

I would like to tell you about my first year here and also what happen before we came here. When I was in Laos I worked in the Ministry of Economy National. I was responsible for the Industry Development and participated working with UNITED NATION as a project coordinator of UNDP/UNIDO and ECAFE for five years. Termination of my work was cause by the communist took over. I decided to leave Laos in 1978 because the condition there was too bad. I crossed the Mekon river in fishing boat at night. While we were in the middle of the river we heard a lot of guns fire.

My daughter (Vanida) was two years old. I gave her sleeping pill so she couldn’t cry or make noise.

My sister (Sadavank) did not come in the boat with us, she came later, she swam with some other young people about 1 ½ mile across the river. When we arrived in Thailand the boarder guards took everything we had such as camera, rings, watch, jewelry and so on.

We spent the first week at the police station about 100 people were waiting to go to the refugee camp.

In the refugee camp all the people lived in huts made of bamboo about 50 rooms in each hut and one family for each room. I had been in the camp about 13 months. While I was in the camp I saw a lot of sick, died. The food was terrible and not enough. At the same time the refugee commission sent the Interview team to the camp.

I told them my family wanted to go to USA no other country. About two months later we finally heard we had a sponsor in Oklahoma, we were very happy and excited. About one month later we left Thailand and flew to USA. When we arrived in San Francisco California C W S gave us one set of cloth for each person and we spent one night in the motel then the next day we came to Oklahoma City.

When we met our new sponsor in the airport we felt that we were beginning the new life then the sponsor took us to the house in Moore. After few days Diane, Brita and Karen began taking us to many places such as Social Security, Vaccination for whole family, CETA job training in Norman, bringing clothes and good. I must thank you all the church member for helping the transportation and specialy to English class to Oklahoma City. Finally I got a driver licence and car then I felt very happy because I did not disturb anybody. I started working at home builder training program for two months then for the Cabinet Tree. At first I mad $3.50/h for five months. I got the job in Kimray, INC. I made better salary $5.86/h

My wife (Vanhly) worked at Holiday INN for two months then she had to stop to have operation. After one month she started new job. She worked on Assembly Line making boxing gloves and she made $3.10/h

Many people outside the church have also helped us Dr Gethrie fixed all Vanida and Sadavank teeth without charging and Dr Harvey had taken care of the children with out charging. Dr Glass did not chage for Vanhly operation and hospital care. We thankful to have so many people helped us. I have decided to make my permanent home in Oklahoma City.

As conclusion I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for your helping my family in finding a new better life.

Ta Inthierath

Services:

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, May 7th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm on May 9, 2026, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nounta will be laid to rest next to his wife in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.