Sha Reh's Obituary
Our beloved hero and miracle, Sha Reh, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on January 11, 2026, at the age of 19. Sha Reh was born to his Karenni parents, Dae Reh and Bu Meh, in a refugee camp in Thailand on December 21, 2006. His parents had earlier fled Myanmar (their country of origin) to seek a new life, one free of conflict, persecution, and ethnic cleansing. Sha was their first born son.
Sha immigrated with his parents to the United States, first living in Texas and then later relocating to Utah so that they could be closer to family. Sha and his family became an integral part of Utah’s beloved and growing Karen/Karenni refugee population. Sha quickly learned English, enabling him to become his parents’ interpreter and spokesman – a heavy responsibility for a ten year old.
Despite the challenges and inherent poverty that comes with being a refugee, Sha and his family progressed from living in state-supported housing to owning their own home. Along the way, Sha attended Edison Elementary School and Glendale Middle School. He was a gifted student and was loved by his teachers and classmates. While naturally an introvert, he was a thoughtful friend and loved to play video games.
In December of 2024, an unspeakable tragedy took the lives of his parents, his brother Boe Reh, and his sisters Kristina Ree and Nyay Meh. Sha survived the tragedy but with his optical nerves completely destroyed lost his eyesight, but not his vision and knowledge of who he was as a son of God, nor of his divine potential.
Despite his new blindness, Sha would graduate with honors from Granger High School in 2025 and lead his class in the senior walk. He would later enroll in the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden, Utah, where he would learn to communicate in Braille and walk with a white cane. During the summer of 2025, he fulfilled a long held desire and was reunited with his maternal grandmother (herself a refugee) who was living in Australia. In early January of 2026, Sha fulfilled his lifelong dream of going to college and was enrolled as a first year, first generation student with plans to become a lawyer and to live and succeed for his deceased parents and siblings.
Sha and his family were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where they worshiped alongside family and friends who were refugees like them, speaking, singing, and praying in their native tongue. Sha found joy and peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ, in helping with the sacrament, and in participating in temple ordinances for his deceased family members.
Sha is survived by a large and loving extended family. Following the tragedy of 2024, he was primarily cared for by his Uncle Ku Reh, Aunt Nyay Meh, and their family. His cousin Meh Reh became his rock, his wingman, his best friend, and his most capable advocate.
In his own words, Sha taught, “I’ve learned to turn my wounds into wisdom, and those wounds are part of who I am. I am a miracle.” Indeed, his extension of life was a miracle. He is now home with his family. And he is among those who can sing, “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” His faith in Jesus Christ will carry him forward into eternity.
A viewing and funeral services for Sha Reh will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meetinghouse located at 2280 S. 300 E., Salt Lake City, Utah.
The public is invited to attend the viewing, which will take place at 9:00 a.m. MST. Family, friends, and the public are invited to attend the funeral service, which will take place following the viewing at 10:00 a.m. MST at the same location.
Interment will follow at Elysian Burial Gardens -- By Invitation Only.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family with medical and funeral expenses.
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