John Kam Sandkuai

John Kam Sandkuai, 65, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020, in Essentia Health Hospital, Fargo, ND.

John was born on February 3, 1955, to Moaw Boung and Kuai in Luang Namtha, Laos. He grew up in a small village in Muang Houn, Laos, where he attended school and helped his family with rice farming. In 1980, he left his family and fled to Chiang Khong, Thailand, where he enlisted in the army. In 1984, he met and soon married his first wife, Keoboun Phonethep and together they had 3 children, Saysamone, Sythong, and Rob.  Later he remarried and had his 4th child, Jayden.

Shortly after their first child was born, the family fled to different refugee camps across Thailand. The last one being in 1987, where the family ended up in a camp in the Philippines. In 1988, the family was sponsored and came to America, Moorhead, MN to be exacted.

John worked hard with various jobs that would put food on the table. He did anything from beef packing jobs, various manufacturing jobs, a cook at a Thai restaurant, to planting trees with Moorhead parks and recreation.

He accomplished many goals, one of which was in 1995, when he became a US citizen. With this came changing his name to an ‘American’ name of John.

He lived a low-key life. In his free time, he enjoyed building random things in the garage. He was the best storyteller. He enjoyed playing with his Khaen, a type of lao instrument, and had the love for cooking. His number one priority in his life was to make sure his children were fed and happy.

John is survived by his children, Saysamone (William) Shea, Sythong Sandkuai, Rob Sandkuai, and Jayden Sandkuai; grandchildren, Landon and Liam Shea; sister, Guit Vilaiphone; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Maow Boung and Kuai.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., followed by the prayer service at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, December 17, 2020, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue on Friday, December 18, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN, from 11:45 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 P.M. A livestream of the service will be available on John’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a video tribute and guestbook may also be found. A graveside service will be held at Moorhead Memorial Gardens following the service. Masks and social distancing will be required for both the visitation and the service.