Khoi Kim Tran

Khoi was born on February 27, 1944, in Quang Tin, Vietnam, the second of six children of Trong Tran and Bon Thi Bui. He graduated in 1969 as part of the inaugural class of the Polwar Military College of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (khoá NT1/SVSQ/Trường Đại Học Chiến Tranh Chính Trị Đà Lạt). Serving with distinction as a captain in the South Vietnam Armed Forces during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1975, Khoi fought valiantly against communist forces. After the fall of the Republic of Vietnam, he endured seven years of imprisonment in a communist re-education camp. Upon his release, he reunited with his family and met his eldest daughter for the first time.

In 1991, Khoi immigrated to the United States through the Humanitarian Operation Program (H-O Program) and settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked tirelessly to provide for his family. Guided by the four pillars of wisdom, humanity, patriotism, and loyalty (trí - nhân - dũng - thành), Khoi lived a disciplined yet compassionate life that earned him deep respect from all who knew him. He had a lifelong passion for reading history and nonfiction books, gardening and found joy in writing poetry and opinion letters.

After retiring in 2013, Khoi moved to California with his wife to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Duy Thi Nguyen; his daughters Ngan Thuong Tran and Phuong Hoi Tran; and three cherished grandchildren: Phoebe Kha Han Do, Carter Ashton Mai, and Madison Ai Vy Mai.

A remembrance service will be held at Lakeside Chapel of Westminster Memorial Park and Mortuary in Westminster, California, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., with burial at 10:00 a.m.

Khoi’s legacy of resilience and kindness will forever inspire those who knew him.