Sam Muok

Sam Lemond Muok was born on January 3, 1938, in Mongkol Borey, Cambodia, to Puk Muok and Srai Reas. He was the oldest of six children. He passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by the love of his family.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather and community leader. Sam lived a life of service, resilience, and dedication to his family.

In 1958, he moved to Phnom Penh to enlist in the Cambodian Navy's “Fourth Promotion” cohort, where he rose through the ranks to serve as a First Lieutenant. In June 1960, Sam married the love of his life, Noeur Nou, in Battambang. In the early 1960s, while serving with the Navy, Sam earned a rare and prestigious opportunity to study in France, requiring him to spend two years away from his young family. Upon his return, he and Noeur continued to build their life together, eventually raising six children. In 1970, the family relocated from Phnom Penh to the Ream Naval Base where they lived until the fall of Cambodia in April 1975.

On April 17, 1975, the rise of the Khmer Rouge forced the family to flee their homeland in search of safety.

The family eventually settled in Oakland, California, where Sam and Noeur worked tirelessly to build a new life for their family. He took on odd jobs including being ship loader and gas station attendant until he landed a permanent employment at Bell-Carter Olive Company as a mechanic.

After five years at Bell-Carter Olive Company, Sam and his family moved to Stockton, California. He began working as a mechanic at the University of the Pacific. He became an integral part of the growing Cambodian community in Stockton. He sponsored refugees and helped families settle by translating, securing food, housing, and employment. He was an early and instrumental member of Wat Dhammararam Buddhist temple in Stockton, which served as a vital source of faith, community, and tradition for Cambodian families building new lives in America. He helped the temple expand from a small temple in the 80s to become what it is today. Through hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice, he provided for his family and created opportunities for future generations. Sam remained at UOP until his retirement in 2000.

Beyond his professional life, Sam was a man of warmth and lighthearted spirit. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and love for joking around, qualities that endeared him to everyone he met—from his lifelong friends to his cherished children and grandchildren. Deeply caring and loving, he nurtured these bonds with a kindness and generosity that left an enduring impact on all who knew him.

Sam is survived by his beloved wife, Noeur, six children, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and four sisters.

Thank you, Pa and Ta, for everything you gave us. Thank you for your sacrifices, your strength, and your unwavering love. Everything we are today is a reflection of the foundation you built for our family.

You lived a life defined by humility, hard work, courage, and devotion to those you loved. Your memory will live on forever in our hearts and minds.