Chow Chavatipon

 Chow Chavatipon, 77, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away February 8, 2021 at home from complications of Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia.

 Chow was born in Bangkok, Thailand on July 27, 1943, during the war. Shortly after he was born, the family had to abandon their home and move up country because the bombs were coming too close to the city. By the time he was ten, he was taking care of his mom when she had become paralyzed. She passed away when he was nineteen.

 He spent two years in the Thai army and then worked for the U-Tapao U.S. Air Force Base in the motor pool. He once drove President Johnson on a tour of the base. He started his own taxi business taking the GI's into Bangkok when they had leave. This grew into quite a profitable venture for him.

 He was married in Thailand and had a son and daughter from this union. They later divorced, and he decided to come to the U.S. in 1974 at 31 years old. He moved around a few times until he settled in California around the Simi Valley area.

 He worked in a factory for many years that made parts for Boeing. When he decided he wanted to have his own business, he looked for a franchise that suited him. He found Pizza Factory to be a good fit since he had become a devout Christian and they were a Christian-based company. He opened his first Pizza Factory in Port Townsend, WA in 1991. He later sold that store and then opened one in Payette, ID in 1997. He and his wife opened the Emmett store in 1998. They also had one in Woodland Park, CO and Clinton, WA for a short time.

 He and his wife were married at Rose Park on July 4, 2000. He picked that day so he could always remember how many years and always have a celebration. They fell in love with Emmett, moved there and became part of the community. They ran the Pizza Factory for 22.5 years and made many long-lasting friends. He would always remember your name and had a big smile for you.

 Chow enjoyed traveling, going to Jackpot and sharing his faith of the Bible.

 Chow was preceded in death by his father, mother and siblings. His survivors include his wife Cindy; daughter, Tipon (Vin) Tan; son, Art (Marilyn) Chavatipon; stepchildren, Saphrene Meyer, John (Christina) Hansen, Chandra (Brian) Wilkinson; grandchildren, Charlotte Chavatipon, Orian Chavatipon, Pailin Tan, Gaven Hansen, Brady Hansen, Abigail Fales, Drake Myer and Vana Palpanpua.

 The family would like to thank their Heart ‘n Home Hospice team, the loyal employees at Pizza Factory and all the awesome friends that would just sit and share with Chow. 

 There will be an open house memorial at the Pizza Factory on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. Please come and share your memories!

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