Nhuong Hung Nguyen

Nhuong Hung Nguyen passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024, at the age of 84, in Seguin, TX. His life was a culmination as a series of journeys and perseverance.

He was born October 20, 1939, in Thai Binh Village in North Vietnam. In 1954, his family fled on a ship with 5,000 other refugees from Hanoi to South Vietnam once communist sentiment escalated in the North and the country became divided. The family’s journey led them to settle in the Thi Nghe District of Saigon to re-establish their lives with no money. To support the family, he sold beer at the age of 15 years old and helped his mom make duck soup to sell at the market daily. In 1963, Nhuong was drafted into the South Vietnamese army and rose to rank of First Lieutenant. He would become an inspector for the Office of the Chancellor.

In 1972 while in the army, he injured his shoulder. Instead of checking into the army hospital, he checked himself into the civilian hospital and met his future wife, Nho, a nurse who treated him. They would marry on August 24, 1974.

On April 29, 1975, with the fall of Saigon imminent, Nhuong and other family members would board the HQ3 ship, captained by his brother, and set another journey in search of freedom and a better life. Along the way, he would welcome the birth of his first child, Nhan, onboard the ship near Guam. They became refugees at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA and were once again without belongings but eager for a fresh start.

Sponsored by the Cross Church, Nhuong and his family would settle in Seguin, TX where he worked as a Bender Operator at the SMI steel mill in the Finishing Department for 29 years until his retirement. Nhuong supported his family of six by working different shifts at the steel mill. He was gritty and determined that his children live a better life and the American dream. His children would graduate high school at the top of their classes and earn engineering, business, and medical degrees. He became a US citizen in August 22, 1983.

For the last six years of his life, Nhuong had kidney failure and endured dialysis treatment. He persevered as long as he could until his death.

Nhuong enjoyed taking photos, tinkering with fixing things, and being resourceful. He adored his mother and devoted countless hours helping and being with her until her passing. He loved playing a game of Chinese chess and watched Wheel of Fortune religiously. The internet allowed Nhuong to connect back to Vietnam where he enjoyed reading and watching the news in Vietnamese.

Nhuong is preceded in death by his father, Trong, and mother, Tue. Nhuong is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nho Nguyen, and his children, Nhan Anderson (Philip), Amy Nguyen, Henry Nguyen, and Christy Hallett (Allen). He was known as Grandpapa to Aidan, Andrew, Sarah, Ryan, and Austin. He was an uncle to many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his brothers, Thoai and Te, and sister, Nguyet.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. followed by the service from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at Goetz Funeral Home (713 N Austin St, Seguin, TX). Burial services will be at 10:00 a.m. at San Geronimo Cemetery (1620 E Walnut St, Seguin, TX) on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024.