Bui Trong Khang

Growing up in Vung Tau, Vietnam, Khang was an avid learner, and his curiosity with machinery lead him to become a self-taught mechanic. As a young man in the midst of the Vietnam War, Khang was enlisted by the US Army to fix and repair Army jeeps and vehicles. In 1975, he fled Vietnam as one of the over a million boat people seeking refugee. He always noted that leaving his home country was the saddest moment in his life.

Resettling in Miami, Florida, he continued his craft as a car mechanic and became fluent in both English and Spanish. As fate would have it, in 1976, he met Quy Bich Vu / Nancy Bui at a wedding in New Orleans, Louisiana and fell in love. He moved to New Orleans to be closer to his love, and they were married that same year on December 18, 1976. While in New Orleans, he and his wife had three children; Robinson (Vū Tuâń), David (Quang Trung) and Marie (Thanh-Thao).

The Vietnamese immigrants living along the Gulf Coast began to thrive in the shrimping industry; spanning from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi to Florida. Khang converted his mechanic skills from automobiles to commercial shrimping boats. Word of his abilities quickly spread amongst the Vietnamese shrimpers. On a work trip to Sabine Pass / Port Arthur, Texas, upon seeing him, many of the shrimp boat captains jumped out of their boats with cash in hand, pressing and pleading him to fix their boats. Seizing the abundant work opportunity, in 1984, Khang and Quy moved their family to Port Arthur, Texas, and founded K&B Marine. In 1985, he became the first and only Vietnamese-American distributor for Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of Marine Diesel engines and equipment; a recognition he was extremely proud of. In 1995, his business expanded as he became a ship dock owner in Sabine Pass / Pleasure Island. His recounting of the Vietnamese-American shrimping community was featured in the book, Asian Texans : Our Histories and Our Lives by Irwin Tang.

In the last decade of his life, he relished in being a grandfather to Emma, Audrey, Claire, Jonathan and Anne. A proud Ong Noi/Ngoai, he cherished every hug, drawing, painting or dance by his grandkids. Despite his failing health, his unwavering faith in God and steadfast love for his wife of 48 years, his children and his grandchildren kept him fighting until his last breath.

Khang was a man of many facets. His resilience, grit and determination were bar none, and he strived to instill his strong work ethic in his children. He never met a stranger, befriending all those he encountered with his charismatic personality. With love and generosity, his favorite pastime was simply sharing a meal and bonding with family and friends. At his core, he was a beloved son and brother, a loving husband, father and grandfather and a devout Catholic.

Although his physical presence may no longer be with us, his spirit will continue to uplift and inspire all those who knew him. His children and grandchildren will carry forth his legacy of faith, love and compassion in all that we do.

A visitation for Khang will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077. A rosary will occur Friday, March 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at External Service Location, 8503 S Kirkwood Rd, Houston, TX 77099. A committal service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at External Service Location, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.