Khamdeng Baccam

Khamdeng Baccam, 85, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Sioux Center, IA, died Monday, October 20, 2015, at his daughter's home in Smyrna, TN. Following a visitation and funeral service in Mt. Pleasant, IA, a visitation will be held on Sunday, October 25, from 2-8PM, with the family present from 2-4PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A graveside committal service will be held on Monday, October 26, at 11:00AM at the Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg Officiating. Khamdeng Baccam was born in Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam on January 1, 1930. He was the son of Chanh Baccam and Lhong Bacthi. At birth, he was adopted by his aunt Nhoi Batchi and her husband, Due Baccam. He had four brothers and one adopted sister. On December 24, 1952 he married Geng Lo in Vietnam. Khamdeng served in the Lao Republic Army and fought alongside France in the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Lao Republic Army, he farmed the land in Nong Penh, Laos. In 1977, he and his family escaped to Thailand and were in a refugee camp for 15 months. Khamdeng and his family were sponsored by the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa. Khamdeng enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved being outdoors, going on fishing trips and taking long walks. He also enjoyed watching Kung Fu and great western movies. He was a big fan of The Three Stooges. He enjoyed telling jokes and he never failed to laugh at them. He was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, and he participated in the Lao/Tai Dam Bible Study. He is survived by his seven sons: Pheth Baccam of Sioux Center, Vinny "Viengkham" (Nouane) Baccam of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Boon (Hong) Baccam of Worthington, MN, Somdi Sean (Stephanie) Baccam of Hull, Syla (Tanya) Baccam of Little Elm, TX, Khamphouth Baccam of Austin, TX and Souvanna (Mindy) Baccam of Hull; four daughters: Khamphoui (Tom) Veunvilavone of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Bouala (Nahm) Marie Lo of Smyrna, TN, Ny (Khamphet) Kounnavong of Nimes, France and Chanhom (Bill) Tharrington of Des Moines, IA; his 24 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and one brother. Khamdeng was preceded in death by his wife, Geng, three sons: Phouk, Mo and Khamko; his parents; three brothers and a sister.