Marshal “Txoov Thawj” Vang was born on April 13, 1960 in Laos to Tong Pao Vang and Houa Lee. His name at birth was Chia Vang, but he loved the name Marshal and officially changed his name after his naturalization as a United States citizen in December 1987. He departed this life just days after his 61st birthday on April 17, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven sisters. He left behind his wife of 40 years, 3 sons, 5 daughters, 6 grandsons, 6 granddaughters, 1 half-brother, and 2 half-sisters. Marshal was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He was a dedicated father and tirelessly ensured that his children had the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to achieve their goals. He was also a doting grandfather who enjoyed being silly with his grandchildren and walking his granddaughter to and from school on a daily basis.
In the community, he was well-known and held in high esteem by many people. As a respected shaman, he provided spiritual services and healing to those in need. Beyond that, he simply enjoyed being around people, telling stories and listening to others talk. Marshal had an undying thirst for knowledge and spent countless hours at the local libraries soaking in as much information as he could. He spent just as much time integrating and documenting all that knowledge so that he could share it with others. He was a force to be reckoned with and exuded efficiency and self-sufficiency in everything that he did.
Marshal, being a native Hmong speaker, was blessed with the opportunity to attend school at a young age where he also learned to read and write in the English, French, and Lao languages. His academic proficiency enabled him to share his vast knowledge as a teacher in Laos. He later served as an interpreter for the United States CIA during the Vietnam War. When the United States withdrew from the war, Marshal emigrated to the United States as a refugee along with his father and paternal aunt. He arrived in Omaha, Nebraska and later settled in Fresno, California. Shortly afterwards, he got married and began his new life. He was able to continue schooling and obtained a Bachelor’s degree. In the United States, he worked as a successful insurance agent, traffic surveyor, and healthcare support in nursing homes and through in-home supportive services.
Even with his spiritual healing abilities, he had chronic health issues throughout the years. In 1990, he suffered from a stroke, which sidelined him from his vocational endeavors. Unwilling to let this keep him down, he worked diligently on his recovery. In early 2020, his chronic health issues deteriorated into lung and kidney failure, which required hospitalization for several months. He had poor oxygenation, lost mobility, had impaired speech, and became bedridden. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family was not able to be by his side during his extended hospitalization, and he continued to decline quickly. Once he was stabilized, he was released with home care services and oxygen supplementation. Despite all odds, he started to show great improvement while at home. He slowly regained his speech and strength through speech and physical therapy. He had recovered considerably by February 2021 and resumed normal activities with some limitations due to lingering health complications and kidney failure. On April 10, 2021, he had an early birthday celebration in advance of his 61st birthday where he was blissfully surrounded by loved ones. He was happy and upbeat, looking forward to plans during his birthday week. On April 17, 2021 he unexpectedly, but peacefully, passed away in his sleep. His enthusiasm for life, cheerful demeanor, and big heart will be sorely missed.
In the community, he was well-known and held in high esteem by many people. As a respected shaman, he provided spiritual services and healing to those in need. Beyond that, he simply enjoyed being around people, telling stories and listening to others talk. Marshal had an undying thirst for knowledge and spent countless hours at the local libraries soaking in as much information as he could. He spent just as much time integrating and documenting all that knowledge so that he could share it with others. He was a force to be reckoned with and exuded efficiency and self-sufficiency in everything that he did.
Marshal, being a native Hmong speaker, was blessed with the opportunity to attend school at a young age where he also learned to read and write in the English, French, and Lao languages. His academic proficiency enabled him to share his vast knowledge as a teacher in Laos. He later served as an interpreter for the United States CIA during the Vietnam War. When the United States withdrew from the war, Marshal emigrated to the United States as a refugee along with his father and paternal aunt. He arrived in Omaha, Nebraska and later settled in Fresno, California. Shortly afterwards, he got married and began his new life. He was able to continue schooling and obtained a Bachelor’s degree. In the United States, he worked as a successful insurance agent, traffic surveyor, and healthcare support in nursing homes and through in-home supportive services.
Even with his spiritual healing abilities, he had chronic health issues throughout the years. In 1990, he suffered from a stroke, which sidelined him from his vocational endeavors. Unwilling to let this keep him down, he worked diligently on his recovery. In early 2020, his chronic health issues deteriorated into lung and kidney failure, which required hospitalization for several months. He had poor oxygenation, lost mobility, had impaired speech, and became bedridden. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family was not able to be by his side during his extended hospitalization, and he continued to decline quickly. Once he was stabilized, he was released with home care services and oxygen supplementation. Despite all odds, he started to show great improvement while at home. He slowly regained his speech and strength through speech and physical therapy. He had recovered considerably by February 2021 and resumed normal activities with some limitations due to lingering health complications and kidney failure. On April 10, 2021, he had an early birthday celebration in advance of his 61st birthday where he was blissfully surrounded by loved ones. He was happy and upbeat, looking forward to plans during his birthday week. On April 17, 2021 he unexpectedly, but peacefully, passed away in his sleep. His enthusiasm for life, cheerful demeanor, and big heart will be sorely missed.