Saras Taveprungsenukul

With heavy hearts overflowing with sadness, adoration, and gratitude, the family of Saras Taveprungsenukul (“Mr. T”) announce his unexpected passing on July 30, 2022 at the age of 72 in Fort Walton Beach, FL.  He was known, loved, and respected by many who had crossed paths with him as he travelled on his life’s journey.  Mr. T was born in Bangkok, Thailand on May 18, 1950. As the 2nd of 6 children and oldest male, he worked hard to help his family from an early age and immediately knew he wanted to be a good example for his siblings and became a dedicated supporter and champion of their endeavors and achievements.  With the sponsorship of a close family friend, Mr. T first came to the U.S. (St. Louis, MO) in 1968 when he was 18 years old.  While in St. Louis, he attended community college and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (1975) to give back to his new country that he loved. He had the distinguished opportunity to go back to Thailand and serve under Brig Gen Harry “Heinie” Aderholt as a protocol non-commissioned officer at the Joint United States Military Advisory Group – Thailand (USMAGTHAI) during the Vietnam era.  During this assignment, he married his first wife Sue and the wedding reception was attended by many, including Gen Aderholt. 

Not long after, the newlyweds left for their next assignment at Eglin Aux Fld 9 (Hurlburt Field) where they settled into the Fort Walton Beach area and summers with his siblings and friends were enjoyed playing baseball, going to the beach, and cooking up fresh catches.  In 1978, Sue was given the opportunity to purchase the first Thai restaurant in town, the Bangkok House, and had to make a quick decision.  As the story goes, Mr. T was at work on a roof when he was told, “Hey, your wife just bought a restaurant.”  Apprehension understandably followed, but the budding entrepreneur was excited to figure out how to balance both careers. However, soon after the restaurant’s opening, Mr. T was reassigned to England AFB, LA and the commute back and forth to Fort Walton to help with the new restaurant on the weekends became very challenging.  He made the difficult decision to request separation from the Air Force to devote his full attention to the restaurant.  Mr. T and his wife loved sharing their culture with the community and hosted many events and parties.

The early 80s brought Mr. T’s two best restaurant employees, his daughters, and he quickly instilled in both a strong work ethic, an appreciation for learning and education, and the courage to persevere through hard work for the things that were worth having.  Over the years, many Bangkok House patrons would fondly recall his girls standing on stools to help run the cash register. 

In the late 80s, Mr. T started Northwest Florida Facilities Management (NFFM) that later benefited from the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program.  His company successfully bid on set-aside government contracts and provided services and capabilities such as food service, transient alert, and building and facility maintenance.  Mr. T’s hectic daily schedule during this period started early with making his daughters breakfast and getting them to school.  After that, he would briefly check in on the restaurant or go straight to his office, which he purposely had near the restaurant so he could walk back and forth throughout the day to have lunch, help with the midday rush, meet with vendors, and coordinate anything else needing his attention.  At dinnertime, he would go home to eat with his daughters, take a quick nap, and then return to the restaurant to help his wife close for the night.  The Bangkok House remained in business over the next 30+ years, but sadly without Mr. T as he moved on to focus on his other businesses in 1999. 

In July 2002, Two Trees Restaurant held its grand opening in the newly constructed clubhouse at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course.  The name for the restaurant came from the city’s two courses, the Pines course and the Oaks course.  Over the next 20 years, Mr. T welcomed friends and customers of the community with the same warm smile for lunches, meetings, banquets, and receptions.  His days would start at 4:30 am and sometimes end around 10 pm.  He never wanted to take a vacation and never seemed like he would slow down.  In 2015, he bought over 200 acres in Baker and excitedly brainstormed future plans for his new farm.  With gentle urging from his family to retire, Mr. T finally hung up his Two Trees apron for the last time just this past February.  Although he would miss seeing so many friends on a regular basis, he accepted the time was right and was also looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.

Mr. T is preceded in death by his father Arch Taveprungsenukul, brother Anusak Taveprungsenukul, and first wife Sue Taveprungsenukul.

Mr. T is survived by his mother Ei Taveprungsenukul, wife Napaporn Jariyatepthavon, brothers Lui Taveprungsenukul (Ubol), Thongkaow Taveprungsenukul (Sirimith), Boonanan Taveprungsenukul (Valailuk), brothers-in-law Richard Helton, Visit Bussararungsee (Nansaruch), sisters Champa Hawk, Orasa Vaught (Wesley), sisters-in-law Vanida George (Mark), Vann Ratcliffe (Dave), Noi Nguyen (Minh), daughters April Taveprungsenukul Aplin (Andrew), Sarah Taveprungsenukul (Scott Lowrance), nieces Julia Vea (Vasco), Tiya Aring (Richard), Sareena Helton Page (Casey), Nathalee Helton, Teeresa Bussararungsee, Natharina Nguyen, Kierra Vaught, nephews Wayla Taveprungsenukul, Natee Taveprungsenukul, Matthew Jendong, Brayden Bussararungsee, and his much loved grandchildren Ashten Aplin, Beau Lowrance, Louis Lowrance, and Alison Aplin.

In Mr. T’s honor, please consider a donation to: Montessori Learning Center (Fort Walton Beach), Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, or the Air Commando Association.

On Monday, September 19, 2022 from 4-6pm, friends and family will be gathering at The Clubhouse Grill at the FWB Golf Course to honor and celebrate the life of this amazing and selfless father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend.

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