May 6, 1942 — March 25, 2024 (age 81)
Bunarith (Bun, Ta) was born in Kratie Province, Cambodia. He became an Elementary teacher in Battambang, Cambodia. During this time, he met Seng, a shy 17-year-old seamstress, in a Chinese medicine store. He loved playing sports, especially ping pong, volleyball and soccer. He asked her Aunt for her hand, and they were married despite Seng not knowing how to cook for her new husband. They had one daughter, Cholamany, and two sons, Ritthyrung and Ritthyream.
In 1975, the Khmer Rouge overthrew the Cambodian government, forcibly evacuated citizens from their homes in major cities, and forced them to work for the regime under terrible conditions. They took his house and his livelihood but not his spirit and determination. Bunarith, Seng, and the children, all under five years old, survived the Khmer Rouge genocide of nearly 2 million Cambodians (1975-1979) by running and walking to safety at the Refugee Holding Center of Panatnikom, Thailand.
There, he worked for the Welfare Services Unit for Refugees in Thailand for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a chief guard and custodian to the staff. While in the refugee camp, he learned English, trained new employees, and befriended and helped people of all cultures within the program. On October 1, 1981 – Bunarith and his family were sponsored into the US by an American family in Eugene, OR.
While living in OR, Bunarith heard job opportunities were better in Utah. So, he packed up his family in a Chevy Vega Station Wagon and moved to Logan. Bunarith was stubborn, a hard worker, and a born problem solver, always constructing and repairing things, something he passed on to ‘the kids’ with a can-do attitude. He worked for Lundahl Astro Circuits (AKA Tyco, TTM) for ~40 years as a circuit board plater before retiring. He continued to work after retirement until 2017, when his health deteriorated.
Bunarith always found the joy in life. His biggest joy was spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who survive him. He had an infectious laugh and often joked around instead of being serious. He would laugh until he cried watching slapstick comedies like The 3 Stooges, Benny Hill, or failures in Internet Fail videos. He had a love affair with Mountain Dew and even had it smuggled into the hospital when he was gravely ill and should have been drinking water. Bunarith and his family became US Citizens. He loved American democracy and the safety and freedom it gave his family. He proudly flew the Stars and Stripes outside his home, juxtaposed with Santa Claus and some of the best tulips in the Logan area. Bunarith passed after a long and hard 7-year battle with failing health. He will be deeply missed, and the Chuon flag will forever be at half-mast with his passing.
Please join us for some of our favorite memories of Bunarith at his Memorial at 12:00 noon, followed by a viewing and visitation from 1 pm – 1.45 pm on Monday, April 1, 2024, at the Franklin County Funeral Home, 56 South State Street, Preston, ID, 83263
Burial will follow at 3 pm at the Millville-Nibley Cemetery, 10 E 100 N Providence, UT, 84326
Donations, flowers, and condolences for his family are welcome but not expected.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Franklin County Funeral Home.