Choc Theng Ung

Mr. Choc Theng Ung

Mr. Choc Theng Ung was born on October 15, 1922 in China Guangdong Province, Jie-yang City, Xi-Men-Huai, Yu-Hu Town, Ma-Liu-Tang Xiang, He married Chheng Tem Gau in 1946 and with her raised a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. In 1947, the couple left their hometown to move to Cambodia via Vietnam. At that time it took seven days by boat to reach Ho Chi Minh City in Viet Nam; but because they were short of money for travel, They had to temporarily stayed at Ho Chi Minh City for a week and wait till relatives brought money to the travel agency then they continued their trip by the China company bus (the bus schedule was only one trip per week) and arrived at his cousin’s home in Prey Veng province, where they lived with his cousin and worked for him. After they settled in Cambodia, from 1948 to 1950, he was gratefully blessed with the arrival of their sons and daughters, and his wife stayed home to be a homemaker and take care of the children. In 1952, he owned his own business, only for one year, because of a fire at the neighbors, he suffered a total loss of his property and the business was lost. In 1954 he re-developed and recouped the business operations, and was successful for three years … and then another fire of the neighbors, again, he lost all his business. The family’s lively hood had been severely affected. They had a child every two years even though raise and the education of the children was very difficult; he was always thinking of how to improve and develop his business to earn more money to support the family. In 1960 he went back to China to lived till 1966 so he could support the parents and relatives where they remained until 1968 where his business had picked up and they enjoyed a better life. Unfortunately, good times never last. With the government coup in 1970, family wealth and the property were destroyed. Forced to leave their hometown to work in Phnom Penh, which was the capital of Cambodia. In the year 1975 the communist Khmer appropriated Phnom Penh, and then after the liberation of Phnom Penh then the family was able to leave again. Times were again difficult and that forced the family to separate in three places to live and find their own lives. It was again an extremely difficult life at that time, until 1979 after reunited with their sons, lived in Vietnam for one year. In 1980 returning to Phnom Penh, with no place to live, they had to live under staircases. To earn a living, they became the roadside hawkers … selling noodles, pork, clothing and some daily necessities. making a slight profit to make living. When he had enough savings, in 1981 he bought a second floor apartment in Phnom Penh, for temporary housing, he is a wise man, thinking the better way is to buy a booth in the Olympic City, doing trading business, selling daily necessities. Then his life would settle down and they could enjoy some consistency. In November 1996 and he and his wife, moved to the United States from Phnom Penh and settled in Seattle. He was reunited with his family. In Seattle he had total of thirteen grandsons, four granddaughter, three great grandchildren and two great granddaughters. After he retired, he enjoyed his retirement with a happy life, He especially enjoyed the wonderful times playing with his grand and great grand kids. Mr. Choc Theng Ung passed away peacefully on May 17 in his son Pisidh’s home, surrounded by his immediate family. He is survived by his 6 sons; Sui Tec Ung, Sok Tek Ung, Hieng Tek Ung, Ung Jur Tick, (Minh Tick Ung), Buong Tick Ung, Pisidh Ung. 5 Daughter in-laws; Sung Leung Sue, Ny El, Khim Sok, Muy Huor Kuoch, Yeumie Hue Truong. 2 Daughters; Sui Chuong Ung, (Sui Hien Ung) and Elly Hon Ung. 1 son in-law Hung Nguyen. 21 Grandchildren; Toung Kim Ung, Song Kim Ung, Buu Kim Ung, Makara Sok, Chansopheaktra Sok, Chan Huot Sok, Chanthy Sok, Alvin Yong Ung, Kimsieng Sok, Kevin Yong Ung, Kimhai Sok, Justin Yong Ung, Vincent Yong Ung, Tieng Kim Ung, Chanda Le, Siu Linh Ung, Channa Sok. 5 Grand children in-laws; Paula Tea, Sophal Eng, Sau Ching Chan, Tony Le, Nicholas Ryan Deneault. And 5 Great grandchildren; William Ung, Jia Wai Ung, Cinney Ung, Kyler Le and Huynh Fiona Le. Mr. Ung will always be revered as a man of strong devotion and many sacrifices for his family as a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and best friend. He will be missed by his family and friends forever.