Victor Penh

Victor “Peo” Penh Obituary

Victor “Peo” Penh was born in Svay Rieng, Cambodia, on January 1, 1945, to Ang Penh and Noy Sarm. Victor was the youngest son of 4 brothers and 4 sisters. 

At the age of 16, he took a brave step to provide for himself and his family, ultimately deciding to join the military. 

During the takeover of the Khmer Rouge, Victor and his companion survived the killing fields for seven days and seven nights on the way to a Thailand refugee camp. 

In 1976, he was sponsored by the Christian Church from Thailand and started a new life in the United States in the state of Virginia. Two years later, he moved to San Diego, California, and after some time he decided to move to Long Beach, California in the summer of 1977. Here, he met the love of his life, Christina Lam Sovanasy. Shortly after Victor and Christina married, they had four children: Amara, the oldest daughter, Madison, Peter and David, the youngest son. After settling down and having a family with his beautiful wife, he attended Cerritos College to become an auto mechanic.

In pursuit of a new home and a calling to preach Christianity, he moved his family across America to places like Sheridan, Wyoming in 1993, Wichita, Kansas in 1993, and finally to Memphis, TN in 1994. During his time in Memphis, Victor pursued his indoctrination into a Reverend, receiving his certification in 1997, and he continued to spread the Word of God for many years. He would frequently travel through the United States to preach at different congregations and would do missionary work in Cambodia, bringing so much light and joy to those around him. 

While on a fishing trip in 2016, Victor was unfortunately involved in a car accident that was the start of many health issues, including dementia. Due to this accident, he was faced with a difficult decision to resign from spreading the Word of God. However, he continued to attend services and find solace in his unyielding faith.

In 2017, he and his wife then moved back to Long Beach, California with their sons, Peter and David, where he would spend the rest of his days.

Victor “Peo” Penh passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on Friday August 23rd, 2024.

Victor is survived by his wife of 44 years, Christina; daughter, Amara; sons, Madison, Peter, and David; and granddaughters, Kiana, Melisande, and Kathileen.

Victor was a kind soul, who spread so much light and love into the lives of the people he was able to touch, with his words through preaching or through his laughter. He loved to fish, tailor clothing, do home construction and to travel. Throughout the years, he created a legacy that will live on in the kindness of his children, the joy of his grandchildren and the hope that he was able to create through his missionary work with his wife. Although, he fought to be with us until the very end – he will continue to live on within us. Rest in Peace, Victor “Peo” Penh. We love you dearly and we cherish the moments that we were lucky enough to experience in our lives.