Remembering Chang Pao Yang's Life

Our father, Chang Pao Yang (PaajPov Yaaj), passed away on July 26, 2024. We are hoping to honor him through his memorial on August 17, 2024 in St. Paul, MN. We hope to see everyone whose life has been intertwined, whether through family or friendship, with our father's at one point or another. Thank you for all of your well-wishes during this difficult time.

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Chang was born in Xiangkhouang Province, Laos, on March 3, 1951, to Wang Sher Yang and Yer Cha. Chang married Youa Cha in September 1974. One year later, Chang served in the Secret War as a Sergeant in the Special Guerilla Unit during the Vietnam War. He, along with his comrades, scouted a safe passageway to Thailand through the Mekong River. Upon arrival in Thailand, Chang stayed for only six months before re-entering the warzone to retrieve his immediate and extended family in March 1979. Chang lost his two oldest sons, Xyoob and Lee, during the war. Chang and his family stayed at the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp before sponsorship to the United States.

Chang arrived in Chicago, Illinois in January 1980. Chang relocated to Wisconsin in August 1980, reuniting with family in Eau Claire and Wausau. Chang had five children in Wisconsin: Jessica Akeens (Anthony), May See Xiong (David), Lisa Yang-Xiong (Bee), Steel Yang (Chao Thao), and Sheila Yang. Chang attended Wisconsin Indian Technical Institute and North Central Technical College for Machine Tool Operation and Computer-Aided Drafting.

Chang relocated to North Carolina in April 1988, eventually planting his roots in Charlotte. In July 2000, Chang and Youa built their dream home in Stony Point, North Carolina. Chang had his last child, Kenshin Yang, in 2003. Chang married Ka Xiong in 2006. Chang moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in May 2011 and remained there until his passing at age 73 on July 26, 2024. Chang is survived by his six children, six grandchildren (Micah, Myliah, Eliyah, Josiah, Penelope and Theodore), and three brothers (Xa Yang, Ying Yang and Doua Yang).

Chang enjoyed hunting, carpentry, farming rice, technology, computers, playing Solitaire and took pride in his yellow Jeep Rubicon. His presence and wisdom will be profoundly missed by his family.

The funeral service will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024 and 10:00 a.m. to Noon on Monday, August 19, 2024 at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Dr, White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55127. Following the service, Chang will be laid to rest on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Elmhurst Cemetery.