At 105 years old L.K. “Pap” Pang passed away earlier this week. Pang was recognized as the oldest WWII veteran in the state, and the second oldest WWII veteran in the nation.
Pang spent the majority of his adult life in Clarksdale, MS but travelled the country and the world in his lifetime.
He was born in Marks, MS growing up with his many siblings, operating the family grocery store and farm. In his teen years he went to China with 7 other siblings to further his education. He then came back to the US to finish his education and then ended up joining the Navy where he immediately started performing maintenance on classified avionic equipment.
Pang was a passionate Ole Miss fan and was recognized on the field at Vaught-Hemingway twice. He was first recognized on his 100th birthday and this past year on his 105th birthday. He was also awarded a flag flown over the US Capitol by Representative Trent Kelly.
“Let us never fail to honor the service and sacrifice by him and his fellow members of the Greatest Generation,” Governor Phil Bryant said.
