On the evening of October 24, 2022, our Dad and family patriarch, Ben Nguyen (aka Nguyen Van Bang) "slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God" at the age of 79. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle who was firmly rooted in his Catholic faith. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jacqueline Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Hang); children Anh Nguyen, Alex Nguyen, Minh Nguyen, and Amy Nguyen; grandchildren Anthony Nguyen and Alyssa Garcia. He was the eldest brother and is survived by sister Lisa Sendelbach and husband Michael; brother Steven Nguyen and wife Kathleen; brother Bac Nguyen and wife Lua; sister Lua Nguyen and husband Ky. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and numerous relatives both here in the U.S. and in Vietnam. He was preceded in death by his parents Nguyen Van Uyen and Nguyen Thi Hoa; and siblings Tuoc Nguyen, Huong Nguyen, and Loan Nguyen.

Ben was a military hero serving during the Vietnam War. When he was called to service, he knew he wanted to fly! He got his wish and was trained as a helicopter pilot by the U.S. military and flew missions on a Huey helicopter to pick up and rescue fellow comrades from the grounds. Because of his service, his family had the opportunity to flee Vietnam with other military families at the end of the War. He and his wife, Jacqueline, made a new life for their children and sister, Lisa, in the Houston area with the help of sponsors Nell and RJ Calhoun, for whom we are eternally grateful.

Despite having a formal education and being an educator himself in Vietnam, Ben did whatever was necessary to provide for his family by taking on jobs in the trades. He learned the HVAC trade and eventually opened his own business which he ran till he retired. Ben loved his family and had a special bond with his grandchildren. He was also very fond of his nieces' and nephews' children, often bringing them treats, such as a special French baguette from a bakery known only to him…and those babies loved him! He greatly enjoyed family gatherings and having cognac with his brother Steven. Ben loved sharing stories with whomever he met and had a good sense of humor. He greatly appreciated opportunities to get together with close friends and military comrades at gatherings and reunion events. As you can probably tell, Ben was very social and loved to be around people. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

Our Dad will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends Sunday, October 30, from 2:00pm until 6:00pm., at Peevey Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held Monday, October 31, at 10:00am, at Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church.