Chau Ich Tran

Mr. Chau Tran, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and cherished member of the Vietnamese–American community, passed away surrounded by loved ones. His life was a testament to courage, perseverance, and unwavering love for his family.

Born on March 8, 1945, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, Mr. Tran was the fifth son in a family of six siblings, in addition to eight half-siblings. Even from a young age, he experienced the turbulence of history firsthand. During the First Indochina War, his family became refugees for the first time, resettling to Saigon in 1954. There, they rebuilt their lives from nothing and eventually established a successful construction company.

In 1965, at the age of 20, Mr. Tran entered military service as a Special Forces ranger. He served with courage and endured great hardships, including severe malaria and a gunshot wound to his right forearm. He was honorably discharged in 1974, carrying with him both the scars and the pride of his service.

In April of 1975, on the night of April 30, Mr. Tran and his family fled Vietnam during the fall of Saigon. 15 family members escaped together, beginning their new lives in the United States. In 1977, he and his brother-in-law, Mr. Su, traveled to Houston, Texas, hoping to find a warmer, more welcoming place for the entire family. By 1978, through determination and hard work, he helped relocate the family to Houston.

That same summer, fate brought him together with Miss Loan Tran who he married on February 23, 1979. They went on to build a devoted marriage that lasted more than four decades, raising their two children, Vi Hoang and Mason Duc, with love, discipline, and quiet strength.

Mr. Tran worked for more than 25 years as a painter for several construction companies before eventually retiring from the City of Houston. His most cherished professional years were spent working in the Houston public libraries, a fitting role for a man who found joy in reading.

His room was famously filled with stacks of newspapers and books, and he regularly took his children to the library on weekends—always leaving with Vietnamese books tucked under his arm.

In his early retirement, he enjoyed simple pleasures: playing billiards and table tennis, friendly games of poker, long conversations over coffee, and time spent with his circle of close friends. These moments brought him happiness and kept him connected to the community he loved.

Mr. Tran is survived by his beloved wife, Loan Tran; his children, Vi Hoang Tran and Mason Duc Tran; and his treasured grandchildren—Victoria, Francis, and Kingston—who brought him immense pride and joy.

He is also remembered warmly by his extended family, many dear friends, and former coworkers who admired his resilience, humor, and generous spirit.

He leaves behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and devotion. His story, marked by hardship and hope, will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him.

May he rest in peace.