Lien Nguyet Huynh Tran & Co Tran

Lien Nguyet Huynh Tran, born May 16, 1938, in Guangdong Province, China, and Co Tran, born August 12, 1929, in Saigon, Vietnam, shared a remarkable life of devotion, love, and resilience. Lien passed into her eternal home on February 8, 2025, followed by her beloved husband, Co, who joined her in eternal rest on July 12, 2025. Together, they leave behind a legacy of family, love, and generosity.

Lien, the cherished only daughter of Kha Chan and Huynh Trieu, was the ninth of ten children and the last surviving sibling of her family. As a young girl, she fled communist China for Vietnam. Years later, in 1978, Lien and Co made a daring escape from communist Vietnam with their four young children. Co skillfully helped pilot a boat carrying nearly 300 passengers across the ocean to safety in Malaysia, where the family spent eight months in a refugee camp. In August 1979, sponsored by Co’s sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Kent Kelley, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Dallas, Texas. Dallas and Grand Prairie, Texas, became their home for nearly 46 years. With great excitement and pride, Lien and Co purchased their first and only home in Grand Prairie, Texas (in October 1982), where they raised their family.

Co, the sixth child of Thanh Tran and Lan Huynh, was full of life with a passion for adventure and learning. As a youth, he often skipped school to play soccer. Academically, he cultivated a love for reading and Chinese calligraphy, developing beautiful handwriting under the guidance of a mentor. As a hardworking young man, Co worked as a welder at his father’s lumber company and as a delivery boy. His fascination with the sea led him to learn to pilot boats without maps, a skill that later enabled him to navigate his family and others to safety during their escape from communist Vietnam. In the United States, Co worked diligently as a full-time machine operator at Ryerson Steel, ensuring his family’s stability. In his spare time, Co enjoyed reading, socializing with his automotive buddies, tinkering with cars, sharing meals, and sipping coffee/tea.

Lien was a dedicated nurse in Vietnam. In the United States, she often held two to three jobs simultaneously, contributing equally with Co to their family’s stability. She worked diligently as a full-time assembler at Multi-Amp/Avo Corporation and, on weekends, could be found working at a restaurant or taking on sewing side jobs. In her spare time, Lien enjoyed binge-watching Cantonese drama series, listening to Cantonese opera, cooking, sewing, and socializing with friends.

Lien and Co married in October 1967. Together, they raised a joyful, loving family and fostered a welcoming, generous, and kind home filled with unconditional love, warmth, laughter, and hospitality. Lien and Co loved cooking and inviting family and friends to their home to enjoy their delicious dishes. They cooked well together and independently, each excelling in their own specialties. Lien made the best rice rectangles, stir-fry noodles, fried rice, healthy soups, fermented salty eggs, fermented salty citrus, eggrolls, and egg custards. Co made the best black bean spare ribs, curry chicken, ginger chicken, ginger fish, hot pots, savory bao buns, and sweet bao buns.

Despite financial challenges, Lien and Co ensured their children—Cathy, Tim, Terry, and Betty—were never deprived. They nurtured, supported, and encouraged them to strive for excellence, pursue higher education, and embody generosity and kindness.

Lien and Co are survived by their four children and their spouses: Cathy Van Buren, Tim Tran (Tiffany Tran), Terry Tran (Charles Honeycutt), and Betty Poon (Patrick Poon); five grandchildren: Cole Van Buren, Ava Van Buren, Jacob Poon, Athyna Tran, and Capri Tran; Co’s sisters: Sue Kelley and Sandy Tran; and Co’s niece and her spouse: Maureen Kelley-Parks (Kelly Parks). They were preceded in death by their granddaughter Norah Poon, son-in-law Robert Van Buren, and Co’s brother-in-law, Kent Kelley.

Lien and Co have been reunited in their eternal, heavenly home. We are jealous of the angels. They will be deeply missed and remain forever in our hearts.

In lieu of florals, please consider contributing to Lien and Co Tran's memorial fund. Thank you. Methods of contribution are Zelle to Terry Tran (214) 641-5230 or postal mail to Terry Tran, 6700 Timothy Dr, Plano, Texas 75023.

A memorial service honoring the lives of Lien Nguyet Huynh Tran and Co Tran will be held on:

Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CST at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225.

A light lunch reception will be held immediately after service in the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home dining room from 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM CST.