Nga Mikel

-Pericles

Nga Mikel passed away on June 17, 2024, at the age of 79 after a full life devoted to his family. He was born on December 31, 1945, in Dak To village, Kon Tum Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam to Niang and Y Jeng.

A member of the Montagnard community, he served as an officer in the Republic of Vietnam’s armed forces and fought alongside US Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Enduring many hardships after the war’s conclusion, he left everything behind in Vietnam in 1996, just after turning 50 years old, and immigrated with his family to the United States. Arriving with very little, through sheer determination he endeavored to build a new life and embraced everything the United States had to offer. He settled in Charlotte, North Carolina and provided his daughters the opportunity to chase their dreams. For over 15 years, he worked in the Custodial Department for Atrium Healthcare in Charlotte, quietly making a living, earning US citizenship, and setting an example for his family that hard work was the key to success. He loved gardening, sitting outside catching up with friends, beach vacations, and attending Mass.

He proudly watched his family grow and took pride in every graduation and new business opened. Though hardened by war early in his life, his grandchildren, all of whom held a special place in his heart, softened him. In the presence of his grandchildren, he always had a smile and cherished the family dinners on the weekends, vacations, and holidays spent seeing them. Nga loved the ocean and while his children and grandchildren will miss him deeply, they take immense comfort in knowing that he lived long enough to see the ripples of the waves he created in his life. This family’s story will always start with his sacrifice and willingness to take a risk and resettle in the United States, paving the way for his children and grandchildren to have unlimited opportunities.

Nga is survived by his wife of 50 years, Chanh, and their six daughters, Ngam, Lien, Nguyen, Kanh, Kum, and Kem. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and a brother, Thuan.

A visitation for Nga will be held Friday, June 21, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Wilson Funeral & Cremation Service, 5301 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 282123611. A funeral service will occur Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Joseph's Vietnamese Church, 4929 Sandy Porter Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273. A committal service will occur Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1 PM at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212.