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Sam Ounvong
In Memory of
Sam Sanong
Ounvong
1939 - 2018
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Vondel Smith Mortuary
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Obituary for Sam Sanong Ounvong

Sam Sanong  Ounvong
Funeral services for Sam Ounvong will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 27, 2017 at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary (6934 S. Western Avenue, OKC, OK 73139) with cremation to follow immediately after the service.


Sam Sanong Ounvong departed this earthly life on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the age of 79. The son of Koepha and Thauan Phimprachanh, Sam was born on January 1, 1939 in Laos and grew up there. He studied at Lycée Vientiane. After he finished his studies, he worked at Air Lao as a Station Supervisor and joined the Laotian army, which provided him with the opportunity to go train in France and the United States during his years of service. He married his sweetheart, Joyce Thavorn Southarath on November 27, 1958, and their union was blessed with seven children. At age 39, Sam eventually moved his family to the United States and settled in Oklahoma City in 1982. Sam was an extraordinary athlete who developed great skills both as a tennis player and as a soccer player. He also put his athletic abilities to the service of others, as a coach and as a referee. Sam had many talents, but his most profound talent was his ability to touch people's hearts through his love of music. He is well known throughout the countries of Laos and Thailand for his song "Thai Dum Lam Panh." The song spoke to people of both nations because it gave refugees, who left their homeland, a feeling of nostalgia for the land they had left behind in order to better their lives for their families. Sam will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and everyone that came to know him during his life.

Sam was preceded in death by his:
Parents;
Brothers.

He leaves behind his loving family:
Wife of 60 years, Joyce Thavorn Ounvong;
Daughter, Vimmy Srithongkum and husband Manote (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma);
Daughter, Arunee Sengkhamkit (Thailand);
Daughter, Souksavanh Phachanpeng and husband Sangiem (Las Vegas, Nevada);
Daughter, Rina Ounvong San Juan and husband Thierry (Olympia, Washington);
Son, Visa Ounvong and wife Sengaloun (Milwaukee, Wisconsin);
Son, Venus Ounvong and wife Duangchai (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma);
Son, Mick “Nong” Ounvong (Long Beach, California);
Sisters: Savana Chanthalangsy (Honolulu, Hawaii), Phaivanh Laokhamthong (Paris, France), Amphone Khamsivone (Pittsburgh, California), Vienxay Khounkhamdy (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma);
Grandchildren: Montre Srithongkum (Great Lakes Navy Station, Illinois), Ashley Chanthavong-Ounvong (Long Beach, California), Monica Ounvong (Phoenix, Arizona), Amber Chanthavong-Ounvong (Charlotte, North Carolina), Sade Ounvong (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma);
Many other loving family and friends who will miss him dearly.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sam Sanong Ounvong, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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