During his life, Houat Chanmanivone escaped from wrongful imprisonment not once, but twice. The first instance, he escaped a Pathet Lao internment camp as a prisoner of war in his native Laos for his service in the Royal Lao Army. The second instance occurred this week as he escaped the clutches of Parkinson's Disease. He slipped away quietly in the night on August 20, 2025 at the age of 75 in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Ban Hom, Laos on November 7, 1949, Houat grew up as a fisherman before joining the Royal Lao Army. He worked as the bodyguard for the U.S. Ambassador to Laos and during his service in the Royal Lao Army earned the extremely rare Medal for Military Valor awarded for bravery in combat. After the Royal Lao government fell, Houat was imprisoned in a re-education camp by the Pathet Lao, but he escaped. He spent the next two years liberating over 40 families from Laos by guiding them across the Mekong River to Thailand. Having done all he could, he collected his wife and two young daughters, and began the arduous journey to the United States. After a stay in a refugee camp in Thailand, the Chanmanivone family arrived in Philadelphia, PA.

As new citizens of the United States, Houat and his young family left Pennsylvania for the heart of Oklahoma and settled down in Norman, OK. In Norman they were reunited with family members Uncle Nene and Aunt Bouaban Viravong and their family, who had also escaped Laos. Houat and his wife, Nang, set about making a life for their two daughters, Nouth and Fong. Always mechanically gifted, Houat became an HVAC technician for Owens Hermetic Co., then later in life he was the maintenance lead at the Sheraton, Downtown OKC until his retirement due to Parkinson's Disease.

Houat devoted much of his life to the Lao community in Oklahoma. He was active in the Wat Lao Buddharam of Oklahoma City. Houat led the initiative for the building of the hall that is still used to bring the Lao community together for worship. His commitment to the community resulted in the completion of the hall during his tenure as the president of the temple from 2002-2009.

Houat was the son of Souay and Pheng Chanmanivone of Laos. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 53 years, Nang Chanmanivone and his two daughters, Nongnouth Chanmanivone Magdovitz, M.D. (Larry) of Memphis, TN and Fongsamouth Chanmanivone Martin (JJ) of Norman, OK. Houat had five grandchildren who will miss Paa Thu lai lai: Branden Phetsamouth Chanmanivone, Nicholas Bounyasarn, Lawrence "Trip" Magdovitz, III, Noah Connor Magdovitz and Ava Kerin Magdovitz. Houat also leaves behind two brothers, Moran and Chansamone Chanmanivone, both of Laos, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends both in the United States and in Laos.

In the days preceding the funeral service, the family will be honoring Houat and, in the Buddhist tradition, helping him with his journey to the afterlife with chanting ceremonies guided by monks and community vigils. The funeral service will be held at Vondel L. Smith & Sons Mortuaries and Crematoriums South, 6934 South Western Ave OKC, OK 73139, on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive guests at their home afterwards. The service will be live-streamed on Zoom and can be accessed using the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88935589703