Dong Minh Nguyen

Dong Minh Nguyen of Columbus, Ohio passed away at 03:33 on March 13th, 2022, at the age of 83. His life was brought short due to complications related to Alzheimer's. Dong passed peacefully with his wife, Chuc, and the youngest son, Thanh, by his side.

Dong was born in Ha Nam, North Vietnam on June 12th, 1938, to Dam Dinh Nguyen and Lam Thi Dang. His father was an imperial official in Nguyen Dynasty as his family had a long history of serving the emperor for many generations. He had an older sister, Lu, and a younger sister Lan. His father perished during WWII. Thereafter, his mother took him and his sister to escape from North Vietnamese Communist rule to Saigon, South Vietnam in 1954. He graduated from Dalat Officer School in 1965 and was commissioned as an officer in the Army of Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). He married his wife Chuc in 1967 and had the first son Nghia in 1969. He served mostly in combat until the Communists took over in 1975. He was then taken into prison camps, so-called Re-Education camps in Northern Vietnam for 6 years. He was released in 1981 and was on probation status until his family left for the US on August 17th, 1993. Dong arrived in Utica, NY, then moved to TX, AL, FL, and now in OH.

Dong was a devoted man of faith. Dong's life was characterized by faith, humility, and sacrifice – to his family, friends, community, and country. A true believer in the power of prayers and God's blessing that kept him safe during the wars, in prison camps, and his daily life. Even in the dark days in the prison camp and under very harsh conditions, he continued to risk his life teaching God’s love and salvation. He taught, encouraged, and brought many to Christ, our Savior.

Dong is survived by his beloved wife, Chuc, a younger sister, Lan, in Vietnam, 6 children (Nghia, Hien, Hoa, Thuan, Hop, and Thanh), an adopted son (Fr. Diep), and 16 grandchildren (Cynthia, Mia, Thomas, Peter, Grace, Timothy, Louis, Teresa, Paul, Chizuru, Hiroki, Mai, Sam, Mac, Lily, and Eva).

A funeral is planned for Saturday, March 19th, 2022, at 10 AM. The Catholic Rite service will be held at Saint Augustine and Gabriel Church on 1550 East Hudson Street, Columbus, OH 43211. All are invited to attend. Dong will be interred on March 19th, 2020, at noon at the Resurrection Cemetery on 9571 North High Street Lewis Center, OH 43035. Our family is very blessed and thankful for all the prayers and support from the community, relatives, and friends everywhere.

Schoedinger North is honored to serve the Nguyen family.