Terry Khammaniphanh

Terry Chao Khammaniphanh was born to Meyfou Saechao and Thong Khammaniphanh on May 31st, 1995. Born and raised in Richmond, California, he is survived by his parents listed above, his stepfather Sounthone Bouttavong, his siblings from oldest to youngest: Brenda Mey Saetern, Anna Saechao, Souny Khammaniphanh, Danny Khammaniphanh, Shawn Bouttavong, Athena Bouttavong, and Steven Bouttavong, and his nieces and nephews from oldest to youngest: Faith Chao, Jaslene Ham, Brian Saetern, Aaliyah Ham, Mikhail Saetern, Tommy Saetern, Khloe Saetern, and Grace Saetern.

Terry is also survived by his grandparents on his mother’s side; Nai Liam Saechao and Chiam Fou Saechao; aunts and uncles Ou fou Saechao, Nai Xio Saeteurn, Nai fou Saechao, San fou Saechao, Koy Choy Saechao, Sou fou Saechao, Koy Xio Saechao, Chieb fou Saechao, Koy Vern Saechao, Say fou Saechao, Kimberly Saetuen, Fahm fou Saechao, Lisa Chao, Kao Chieng Saetern; his cousins Kao Nai Saeteurn, Mey Nai Saeteurn, Fahm Nai Saeteurn, Feuy Nai Saeteurn, Koy Nai Saechao, Chai Chien Saechao, Mahn Chien Saechao, Kevin Saechao, Dylan Phan, Ryan Phan, Erina Phan, Anali Saechao, Greyson Saechao, Caleb Bienh, Collin Bienh, Hazel Bienh, Nevee Saechao, Nora Saechao, Francesca Saetern, and Conner Saetern.

At the age of two, Meyfou met Sounthone Bouttavong, he has raised Terry as his own until now. Terry loved fishing, and sports like football, basketball, and boxing etc. Anyone who knew him, knows that he was a quiet person and always kept to himself. He smiles no matter the situation he was in because he was hurting and did not want to show it. He was so loved by many because he was so loving and caring to his family and friends. He loved his nieces and nephews the most. He would give anything he had to anyone who needed help and would never ask for anything in return. All he would ask is to see you more, to hang out and laugh sometimes and just to talk. Terry knew how it feels to struggle and not have anything, so he would never say no to anyone who asks for his help. He would barrow money to help someone else who needed that money if he didn’t have the money to help. He wanted everyone to be happy and, “As long as everyone is happy, I’m happy. For real,” he says all the time. He always forgives anyone who has ever made him mad, sad, or angry, because he said, “At the end of the day, we’re all family whether we are related or just friends.” He loved everyone so much that it hurt him to see them sad. He just wanted to be around people all the time but did not know how to tell anyone that he wanted to be there.

Terry had been battling depression for years and tried to get help, but it just was not enough. He always says living is hard but that he was glad he had family that was always there for him. He was the type of person who did not like to eat noodles but would always go eat noodles with you because you liked it. He made jokes that were honestly really funny because the joke wasn’t funny at all. It was his humor and how he said the joke, that made the joke even funnier. He would always send videos of people singing funny songs and would say, “I can see mom watching this **laughs**.” He loved to cook spaghetti for his sister Brenda because her favorite food is spaghetti, so it became his favorite food as well. He spent almost every day, going to Brenda’s home or his mother’s home to spend time with them because he didn’t want to be alone at home while his brother Danny was at work. Many times, he would be at home just by himself because he just felt like he was alone, and that people were too busy, and he didn’t want to bother them. He always thought about others and their feelings and put them first before his own. Whenever it rained, he would tell his sister Brenda, “Look, it’s raining, God is crying. You think he is lonely too?” He prayed every night to have a better day in the morning.

Terry hated receiving things from people because he thought it was a waste of money. But he had always cherished every gift he got. He always told his sister Brenda that, gifts given to him are very precious to him. He even saved the empty can of chocolate that his nephew bought him for Christmas 2021. He had been battling depression for many years and tried so hard to be happy these past few years. We truly believe he was happy until his very last breathe on June 12th, 2022. It saddens his family and friends that he is no longer with us.

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