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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Phua Penney
Jae's Sibling
Jae "Michael" Thao
July 21st, 1986 - July 26th, 2025
July 21st, 1986 - July 26th, 2025
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Jae’s life with a heartfelt message.
Otto T






+1
Hi my name is Otto, I am Jae son, I remember that we use to hang out with each other every day and talk about Hmong DVDs CDs vhs, and cassettes a lot. And we would try to find them. These Hmong vhs in the first picture were the last things that my dad brought me before he passed, but then I brought some Hmong DVDs CDs vhs and cassettes that I wanted and if he was here right now he would’ve been proud and happy that I got those Hmong music videos and music that I wanted
Anna Vang
This still feels so surreal!! We’ve had many great times together Uncle Michael. All the times we’ve shared and I can’t believe we don’t have 1 picture together. Remember when you and Kat started talking? Months prior to that, you messaged me and told me to bring my friends to come through and chill. Somewhere along that line, my gut intuition told me you found my friend Kat attractive. She was my newest friend at the time. lol I invited my friends to hang out but their response was “Hang out with your Uncle? No we don’t want to hang out with your Uncle.” Months later while working the night shift, Kat asked me if I wanted to go with her to pick up some food from you. I was shocked and repeated “my UNCLE JAE?” Her response was “yes, your Uncle Jae. He told me to bring you along.” I laughed and told her okay and that’s what she broke it to me that y’all been talking. I told her “He’s my Uncle from the time when I asked if y’all wanted to chill with my uncle. Y’all could’ve met months ago. 🤣” Since then, you two have been an item. How about the word “TRAINWRECK?” 🤦🏻♀️🤣 I said “What? When did the train wreck? It wasn’t on the news,” since I used to watch the news all the time. LOL That’s a moment that you, Kayla and I will always share. I’m gonna miss you Unc. You would always greet me with “What’s up lil’ niece” and I will no longer get that whenever I see Kat. Through Kat & Otto, your memories will always live on. For the rest of my life, Kat will always be the piece that connects us. I love you Unc! Rest peacefully!
Katt





I am still in disbelief that you are no longer her with us. I wish this was all just a dream. You were always a loving and giving person, who doesn’t expect anything back. I just wish I could have one more night with you and able to hug you for one last time. I’m glad that I get to love you for 9 years and I am grateful for everything you have done for me and the kids. Just know that I love and miss you! You will always be in my heart. May you rest in peace my love! Until we meet again. I love you! ❤️ 😢
Leann
A memory I have with my uncle Michael was back in 2002, when he was a teen and I was a kid. It was our first time at Disneyland together with the whole family! He wanted me to ride on the Matterhorn with him and so I did. LOL back then he made me watch that one scary video.. you know the one where the car is driving down the road and then BAM! Scary ass person pops up. Yeahhh.. I remember that 😂 Michael was such a kind, funny, light hearted person. Always making jokes and telling his scary stories, which I never wanted to listen to, but he would proceed to tell them anyways!! 🤣 He was a great cook and always made good ass food. He made a bomb ass meat loaf one year that I still think about haha 😆 I’ll miss his unserious self. We will never be the same without him. He was definitely the funny one. I love you Mike.
Phua Penney
How did you meet Jae?
I'm Jae's oldest sister, and we’ve always called him Michael. I honestly don’t remember when we started using that name, but he’s always been Michael to me. His Hmong name is Chue—he was named after the Shaman bells by a Shaman, as he was always destined to become a Shaman himself. Michael had an incredible sense of humor. He would say the most insane and outlandish things, but he said them with such confidence and raw emotion that I always believed him. Only after he gave me that signature smirk would I realize I’d been fooled. My mom always laughed at that side of him—she saw right through him every time. It brings me comfort knowing that he will now be next to her for eternity, to protect her and keep her company. Michael loved me unconditionally, and I can only hope he always felt just as loved by me.
Valerie Mendiola






+4
Still don’t want to accept you’re gone Jae. 💔🥹 You are so caring, loving, thoughtful, funny, considerate, compassionate, down to earth, amazing human I know. ❤️ I’m so lucky to have had you be a part of my life. I’m sure that I speak for all of us when I say that YOU will be truly missed 😭 losing you hits different bro.💔🙏🏻 Prayers to you and your family and give your family strength to get through this difficult time. 🙏🏻 I miss you and I love you. 🥹💔🙏🏻
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