[In Memoriam] Dao Son Nguyen, 73

The following obituary was originally published by Hall-Wynne Funeral Home:

Dao Nguyen died in Durham on May 23. He was 73. He was born in Vietnam on Feb. 6, 1951, to the late Nguyen Van Han and Nguyen Thi Gai.

Nguyen served as an officer in the Vietnamese military, defending his country, a passion of his. On Sept. 26, 1989, he left his homeland, escaping on a fishing boat by night with his family and 63 other refugees in hopes of a better future. After a week on rough seas, battling hunger, dehydration, and scorching weather, they found refuge in the Philippines. After five years in various refugee camps, Nguyen migrated with his family to America on Dec. 7, 1994, settling in Chicago, Illinois. He worked hard to support his family, gained citizenship, and saw his children graduate. He had a passion for writing Vietnamese poetry and spending time with his wife and family.

Nguyen is survived by his wife of 50 years, Phung Nguyen; children, Nguyet (Vu) of Texas, Yen (Vinh) of North Carolina, Giang (Hanh) of North Carolina, Ha (Annie) of California; grandchildren, Minh-Thu, Phong, Nhu-Y, Thien, Kim, Mai, Dexter, Riley; siblings, Nguyen Thi Rieng (Vietnam), Nguyen Huu Chinh (Texas), Nguyen Thuy On (Texas/Vietnam); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by siblings, Nguyen Thinh Cuong, Nguyen Thi Na, Nguyen Van Chung, and Nguyen Thi Muoi.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. The funeral service will be Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Nguyen will be laid to rest at St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery following the service.

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