Somphone Sayavong

Somphone Sayavong was born on March 25, 1964 in Songkhone, Paksan, Borrikhamxai Province, Laos. His parents are Luon Xayavong and Me Xayavong. He has two brothers and four sisters in Laos. In 1980, he escaped from Laos to a refugee camp located in Thailand. When he finally got the opportunity to leave, he flew to the United States arriving in Washington. After a few years, he decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia to learn and work as a mechanic. He finally settled himself in Des Moines, Iowa after meeting the love of his life. Somphone soon married Pom Quang with a traditional Lao wedding in 1991. Then along came two wonderful children: Sanna and Nick. He was also blessed with two beautiful grandchildren: Evalina and Malcolm.

Somphone worked and retired from Titan Tire after being employed for 25 years. For those who knew him, he worked hard throughout the years working night shifts just to provide for his family. When he was not working he enjoyed doing outdoor activities; mostly fishing and hunting alongside his son, grandchildren, brother-in-laws, and friends.

In February of 2020, he was diagnosed with aggressive high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Over the course of two years since being diagnosed, frequent appointments to the hospitals both in Des Moines and Iowa City brought uncertainty regarding his health. Each appointment became a rollercoaster of good news one week and bad news the next. He did not want to give up without a fight. He was always ready to move on to the next treatment that the oncologists would recommend. Somphone underwent a series of harsh chemotherapy sessions, a CAR T-cellular therapy, and joined two different research drug trials. Each treatment started out with great potential hoping it would seize the lymphoma, but then later became ineffective. Near the end of the battle, cancer cells were discovered within his spinal fluid. Two options were now given, one was to try the MTR chemotherapy regimen with a 20% success rate or to do hospice at the comfort of his home. Surrounded by family and friends, Somphone passed away peacefully on the morning of February 9, 2022 at the age of 57.

Somphone is survived by his wife, Pom; daughter, Sanna; son, Nick; granddaughter, Evalina; grandson, Malcolm; father, Loun; brothers and sisters in Laos, and many more families.

Somphone will forever be missed and loved by those fortunate to have known him.