Dominico Tran Van Du

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Đôminicô Trần Văn Du on December 20, 2021, in Anaheim, CA, at the age of 81.

Đôminicô Trần Văn Du was born on August 18, 1940, in Tân Mỹ, Huế, Việt Nam, to Mr. Di Trần and Mrs. Sự Võ, as the youngest of eight children. Du spent most of his childhood years in Vietnam. At the age of 18, he joined the South Vietnamese Navy, and served for over 15 years as a telecommunications operator and artillery specialist. Part of his time in the Navy was fighting side-by-side with the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.

In 1975, Du immigrated to the United States with his pregnant wife and 4 children, settling in Bismarck, North Dakota. Despite the vast difference in culture and climate, the family settled in, and with the help of his sponsors, Du became a successful carpenter and jewelry craftsman, and the family grew to 10. The relationship with his sponsors developed into a lifelong friendship that he cherished. North Dakota was the family’s happy home for over nine years. In 1984, he learned of family living in California and, because family was very important to him, he and his wife decided to make the move to California to allow their children to meet their extended family. California became their permanent home.

As one of the first Vietnamese families to immigrate to the U.S., Du and his wife became a host family to other Vietnamese immigrants who also escaped the hard life in Vietnam. His kindness and generosity towards others led him to welcome more than five different Vietnamese immigrants into his home. Every single person was treated like family.

Du was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. He was a gentle soul with a kind heart who always put others before himself. There were numerous occasions, while driving, he would pull over to the side of the road to assist a stranger in need with car trouble. He was also a devoted Catholic who dedicated many years as an active volunteer within his church. He lived a selfless life helping others.

Du is survived by his wife, Ước Trần, of 55 years; his eight children, Elizabeth (Nhàn), Christine (Nga), Janie (Hương), Nique (Vũ), Long, Mary Kay (Thủy), Anna (Phương), and Thomas (Việt); and his 14 grandchildren, Jesse, Teresa, Joshua, Matthew, Nathan, Kaitlyn, Bella, April, Ashley, Rachel, Olivia, Shaun, Sophie, and Teddy.

Du was an amazing and kind-hearted man who will be greatly missed. He will forever live in our hearts and be our guardian angel for life.

The viewing will be held on Thursday, January 6th at Peek Funeral Home, starting at 3:00 PM. The funeral services will be held on Friday, January 7th at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Private cremation for immediate family members will follow funeral services.