Tiếp Ngọc Nguyễn, Chief Petty Officer, Republic of South Viet Nam Navy, retired.

October 15, 1942 - January 3, 2024

Tiếp Nguyễn, of Farmington Hills, led a life of service dedicated to his family and country. Born in Hanoi and raised in Saigon, Tiếp joined the Navy and served during the Viet Nam War until the fall of Saigon. As the US fleet withdrew to Guam, he found himself separated from his young family. After being sponsored by St. John Lutheran and settling down in Farmington, MI, he spent the next 5 years exhausting all available resources to bring his wife and children to America.

Tiếp worked as a machinist to provide for his family. While he never pursued material possession or personal wealth, he was most proud of the collection of college diplomas hanging on his wall, given to him by his children & grandchildren; a total of 10 degrees from U of M, MSU, Northwestern, Lawrence Tech, and U of M - Dearborn.

His favorite pastimes were watching football and drinking Miller High Life (though later in life he stepped up to Heineken). He never met a chicken wing he didn't like. He enjoyed yard work and clearing the snow, making sure the neighbors' walks were cleared as well. He always made sure his wife's car was clean and filled-up, and would even drive to her place of work to clear her car after a snowstorm, so that she didn't have to do it.

Once he became a US citizen, Tiếp was a patriot through and through. He never missed an election and always voted his conscience. When his income qualified him for social assistance, he refused it, believing there were others more in need of it than himself. Even to his final days, he reminded us to never waste the opportunities available to us here. He truly was a proud American.

Tiếp, affectionately known as Bobo, is survived by his beloved wife Tuyệt, daughters Taylor (Dan) and Cecilia, son - con trai cưng - Ken (Lisa) and grandchildren Tyler (Sarah), Ryan (Ryan), Kaela, Colin, Amanda and Maura.

From a previous marriage, Tiếp was preceded in death by his wife, Nở, and is survived by his sons, Lộc & Phúc, in Vietnam, daughter Hoa (Minh) of Toronto and son Đức (Micki) of Canton, MI.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A private remembrance celebration will be planned for a later date.