Chinh Van Nguyen

Chinh was Born in Hung Yen, Vietnam to Cuong Van Nguyen and Muoi Thi Nguyen. He studied law as a young adult, but his studies were cut short due to the Vietnam War. An avid researcher and reader, Chinh taught himself many skills. He quickly learned how to be an aircraft mechanic for the military. He fought with the South Vietnamese and US forces against the Communists of North Vietnam. Chinh was primarily responsible for the family’s escape from the communists in Vietnam on the day of the fall of Saigon (April 30, 1975). If not for Chinh’s efforts, the family would not have had the opportunity to resettle in the United States. The family was originally sponsored by a family in Hawaii. During this time, Chinh worked as a painter, gardener, and bicycle repairman. In 1979, he moved to Houston, TX where he met his wife Teresita at Sam Houston General Hospital in the Spring Branch district. Chinh was working in the hospital as a maintenance technician. Later he worked at Stewart and Stevenson as a machinist.

Chinh and Teresita married on August 1, 1981. In 1990, Chinh moved to Pasadena, TX to work at Ethyl Corporation. The plant was bought and sold several times during his tenure, including Albemarle Corporation, Amoco Corporation, and BP. He worked as a machinist and an operator.

While maintaining his full-time job with the chemical plants, in 1994, Chinh fulfilled one of his lifelong goals and started his own auto repair shop. He founded and operated Advanced Automotive with Teresita. He earned the top mechanic certifications and was well-known for his auto electric proficiencies.

In 2005, with the closure of BP’s Pasadena plant, Chinh transferred to BP’s oil field in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He retired from BP in 2017. After a brief retirement, he worked on a military base on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

During his free time, Chinh enjoyed hobbies such as chess, magic, stock trading, creating websites, fishing, and playing guitar.

Chinh is survived by:

Teresita, his wife of 39 years,

Children: Mark, Patrick (Emily), Raisa (Kevin), and Christopher

Grandchildren: Ellie, Oliver, and Forrest

Brothers and sisters: Chien, Chieu, Chien, Minh, Cong

Chinh was predeceased by his brother Quyet Nguyen.

Visitation will be held 4 PM – 8 PM on Monday, September 7, at:

Funeraria Del Angel Funeral Home

901 Main St

Pasadena, TX 77506

Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at

St Pius V Catholic Church

824 Main St

Pasadena, TX 77506

Rite of Committal will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at

Grand View Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery

8501 Spencer Hwy

Pasadena, TX 77505