Paul Sophal Nim

Mr. Paul Sophal Nim was born on December 26, 1951, in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia, to Mr. Naing

Sao and Mrs. Luth Phum, who were respected members of the local farming community. He had one

older sister.

After graduating from Prey Veng High School in 1970, he joined the Cambodian Air Force at the age of

21. He was sent to Bangkok, Thailand, where he trained as a Second Lieutenant in flight mechanics and

as a helicopter pilot.

In 1975, following the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, Mr. Nim fled the country and

immigrated to the United States. He arrived at Camp Pendleton, California, as a refugee before later

moving to Seattle, Washington, where he was sponsored by Rimas and Elze Koris. They would become

like siblings to him. It was here that Mr. Nim first met his lovely wife, Phally.

His first job in the U.S. was as a refugee resettlement worker. By the late 1970s, he became a manager

at Winchell’s Donuts in Seattle and was subsequently promoted to oversee a larger company store in

Portland, Oregon. In October 1982, after moving there, he and Phally would get married. They’d go on to

have two boys; Daniel and Darrin in ‘83 and ‘86.

From 1987 to 2009, Mr. Nim owned and operated a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream franchise and, in the

1990s, acquired a second store. After retiring from being a franchisee, he began working as a

professional medical interpreter, providing assistance to members of the Cambodian community.

After two decades of being separated and searching for his father, he was finally able to locate him in

1996. By 1998, they were able to reunite in Cambodia.

A dedicated community leader, Mr. Nim co-founded the Cambodian-American Community of Oregon

(CACO) in 1989 and served as its second president in 1992. He held various positions, including board

member. Additionally, he served as an advisor to the Portland Police Department’s Gang Prevention Unit

and was a board member of the Indochinese Refugee Center of Oregon, now known as the Immigrant &

Refugee Community Organization (IRCO).

Deeply committed to his faith and community service, Mr. Nim was an active member of the Cambodian

Buddhist Society of Oregon, volunteering countless hours to improving the temple.

In his personal life, he embodied a can-do spirit. He was known for being conversational, humorous, and

engaging. Mr. Nim enjoyed building and fixing things around the house, spending time at his beach home,

traveling, and enjoying the company of friends. Known as the family handyman, he was always ready to

lend help. From the late 90s into the 2000s, Mr. Nim trained with his family to become black belts in

Taekwondo.

Mr. Nim left us peacefully in his home early morning Tuesday August 5th, 2025 after a long complicated

battle with intestinal cancer.

Mr. Paul Sophal Nim is survived by his wife, Phally Nim; two sons, Danny Nim and Darrin Nim; daughter-in-law, Stacy; a beloved granddaughter, Penelope; brother-in-law; sisters-in-laws; and many nieces and

nephews.

He will be remembered for his care and dedication to family, community, and service to others. He will be

forever in our hearts.

A funeral service for Paul will be held Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW SUNSET HWY, PORTLAND, OR 97225.