Giao Van Tong

Born in Nam Dinh, Vietnam, on July 1, 1936, Giao lived a life defined by courage, perseverance, and deep love for his family.

In Vietnam, Giao studied dentistry and built a thriving dental practice. He also served alongside the United States as a military dentist during the Vietnam War. He was known for his skill, compassion, and commitment to caring for others. That same sense of responsibility guided him during the fall of Saigon in 1975, when he made the difficult decision to leave his home and everything he had built in order to protect his family. Even in that moment of fear and uncertainty, he stayed behind to ensure that a nephew could escape—a testament to his selflessness and bravery.

After immigrating to the United States and residing for a short time at Camp Pendleton (Oceanside, CA), the family eventually settled in Hutchinson, MN. Giao faced significant hardship as he worked tirelessly to support his family and navigate life in a new country. Early in his time working in a factory, he suffered an injury that cost him part of his eyesight and ended his career in dentistry. Instead of allowing this setback to diminish his spirit, he pressed on, eventually finding long-term work in a refinishing shop, where he labored with dedication and without complaint until his retirement.

At home, Giao wasn’t a man of many words, but he could be playful with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—especially in his retirement years. He was known for always tinkering, trying to fix or improve anything he could get his hands on, often to the amused exasperation of his family. Giao was also an avid gardener, finding peace and joy in tending to plants and nurturing vegetables in the small outdoor spaces he cared for. His Buddhist faith remained strong throughout his life and sustained him until the very end.

Giao is survived by his devoted wife, Thau, and their six children: Thuy TT Tong (Kirk, and her children Dung Pham [Krista, and their child Katie], Hai Pham [Jennie Nguyen, and their child Arden], Long Pham, and Tien Kernien [Stephen, and their child Atticus]), Thiep Tong, Thanh Tong, Thuy TN Tong, Nga Younge (Paul, and their children Camille and Caleb), and Viet Tong (Amy, and their children Alex, AJ, and Brandon).

Giao is also survived by his older brother, Sen Van Tong.

He will be remembered for his strength, sense of sacrifice, and the unwavering love he carried for his family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cultivate Care for their care and support.

Memorial Service Information

A memorial service celebrating Giao’s life will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Location:

Sunset & Kapala-Glodek Funeral Home and Sunset Cemetery

2250 St. Anthony Boulevard

Minneapolis, MN 55418

Program:

10:00–11:00 AM: Buddhist ceremony (in Vietnamese)

11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Visitation

1:00–2:00 PM: Buddhist ceremony (in Vietnamese)

Following the service: private cremation for immediate family

3:00–3:30 PM: A memorial service will be held at Chua Niem Phat Buddhist Temple (935 Dale St. N, St. Paul, MN 55103)

Your love and support are enough – flowers and donations are not necessary.