Phonexay P Volarat

1st Lieutenant Phonexay P. Volarat, of East Hartford, CT, was a loving Husband, Father and Grandfather. He passed away on Thursday, July 7th, 2022 in Charlotte, NC where he resided. Born in Ban Paksane, Laos, he was the son of Xieng Douang and Veune Volarat of Laos. He lived in East Hartford, CT for over 32 Years until this year - he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to be closer to his two sons and 8 month-old Granddaughter. He graduated High School as the Valedictorian, attended Dong Dok University in Vientiane, Laos from 1963 to 1970 and earned a Master's Degree. He continued his education by remaining at Dong Dok University as a tenured Professor. In 1971, he was called into service and attended Training Flight T41 (Cessena 172) and graduated in December of that year. He was then transferred to attend special combat Flight training at an American Air Base in Udon, Thailand and graduated in 1972. The 1st Lieutenant served the United States Army honorably during the Clandestine war in Laos from 1971 to 1975 after being captured by Communist forces and was a Prisoner of War (POW)  in Camp #3 at Meung Kham, Xieng Khouang, Laos from 1975 to 1984. He was awarded the Wartime Service Medal and Ribbon for his Bravery, Valor and Courage while serving the United States Armed Forces Special Guerrilla Units (SGU). He and his wife, along with three young children, escaped from war-torned Laos in 1984 and spent 2 long years in a refugee camp in Thailand. He and his family then migrated to the United States to start a better life, and with the support of family members and twenty American dollars, they worked hard and achieved the American Dream. Lieutenant Volarat had been retired for over 10 years after working as a Machinist at Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield, CT. Once he retired, he spent his days traveling the world, fishing, making fine cuisine and most importantly helping out his fellow Veteran friends with anything when called upon. He is survived by two sons, Phonephithack (Tone) Volarat and Thanousone Volarat both of Fort Mill, SC; a daughter, Nithaphone (Nina) Volarat of East Hartford, CT; Daughter-in-Law Bianca Payton; Granddaughters, Vatsana Volarat and Milani Volarat; Sister-in-Law, Chomsy Luangpraseuth; Nephew, Paul Philavong; and Niece, Michelle Philavong; many cousins and dear friends. Funeral and Cremation service will be Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Palmetto Funeral Home 2049 Carolina Pl. Fort Mill, SC 29708.
Surviving members

Sons:

Phonephithack Volarat

Thanousone Volarat (Bianca)

Daughter:

Nithaphone Volarat

Grandchildren:

Vatsana Volarat

Milani Volarat

Sister in law:

Chomsy Luangpraseuth

Nephew:

Kingsavahn Paul Philavong

Niece:

Michelle Philavong