Khamdeng Baccam

Khamdeng Baccam, 85, formerly of Mt. Pleasant and Sioux Center, died on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, in Smyrna, Tenn.

The family will greet friends on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Calvary Baptist Church, in Mt. Pleasant. Additional visitation and funeral arrangements will be conducted at the Memorial Funeral Home, in Sioux Center.

Online condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Baccam was born in Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam on Jan 1, 1930, the son of Chanh Baccam and Lhong Bacthi. At birth, he was adopted by his aunt Nhoi Batchi and her husband Due Baccam. On Dec. 24, 1952, he married Geng Lo, in Vietnam.

He 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.

He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, being outdoors, going on fishing trips and taking long walks. He also enjoyed watching Kung Fu and western movies, and The Three Stooges.

He was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church, in Sioux Center.

Baccam is survived by his seven sons, Pheth Baccam, of Sioux Center; Vinny ?Viengkham? (Nouane) Baccam, of Mt. Pleasant; Boon (Hong) Baccam, of Worthington, Minn.; Somdi Sean (Stephanie) Baccam, of Hull; Syla (Tanya) Baccam, of Little Elm, Texas; Khamphouth Baccam, of Austin, Texas; and Souvanna (Mindy) Baccam, of Hull; four daughters, Khamphoui (Tom) Veunvilavone, of Mt. Pleasant; Bouala (Nahm) Marie Lo, of Smyrna, Tenn.; Ny (Khamphet) Kounnavong, of Nimes, France; and Chanhom (Bill) Tharrington, of Des Moines; one brother; 24 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geng; three sons, Phouk; Mo; and Khamko; his parents; three brothers; and a sister.