An Tran

An Tran, 62, of Lake Charles died Saturday, December 9, 2023 in the comfort of his home.

Mr. Tran was born in Nha Trang in South Vietnam to Francis Ho Tran and Anna Tu Thi Tran.  At a young age, he identified with his humble patron saint St. Joseph and loved taking care of his family.  In 1979, he, by himself, left his dear, newly Communist, and war-torn homeland on a boat to forge a better life for the family.  He met his one true love and eventual wife in a refugee camp in the Philippines.  He learned English and received his legal papers to come to America in 1982.  He respectfully worked manual jobs and saved funds to contribute to his father-in-law’s own dream of establishing Jim’s Seafood, which currently remains a successful business in Lake Charles.  He worked without accepting pay for his father-in-law while beginning studies at Sowela Technical Institute.  He obtained an associate degree and started an entry level position with Northrup Grumman.  A well-respected man of superior work ethic and diligent job performance, he quickly advanced within the company, and retired a Lead Mechanic of the Boeing B-52 Bombers.  He further saved money and filled out legal applications to slowly bring his family members to America.  He took pride in attending many of their weddings, baptisms, confirmations, and graduations.  He was the pillar for his family at hospital bedsides and funerals.  He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven and then attended St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.  Mr. Tran enjoyed beginning each day with both physical and mental exercise of Tai Chi.   He also enjoyed fruit gardening, fishing, and the tranquility of being on the water.  He was a simple man of family, faith, and prayer and instilled in his children the value of each.  He was an especially devoted dad and grandfather.  Mr. Tran will be remembered for his generosity in giving to many families in need, both in America and Vietnam.  He will be most remembered for his kind heart, content spirit, ability to truly forgive, and merciful love.

He leaves to honor his memory, his wife of forty years, Rosa Oanh Vu (Anna) of Lake Charles; daughter, Mary Van Tran Meeks and husband Landen of Paducah, KY; three grandchildren, Paul Hai, Jack Viet, and Claire Xuan Meeks of Paducah, KY; brother, John Tan Tran and wife Hanh of Houston, TX; four sisters, Catherine Lanh Thi Trân of Oslo Norway and Mary Phuc Thi Trân, Martha Duc Thi Trân, and Catherine Tu Thi Trân, all of Nha Trang, Vietnam and many nieces and nephews.  He also leaves his extended family, brothers-in-law, Vien Vu and wife Thuy, Huy Vu and wife Thu and Hanh Vu and wife Katherine and sisters-in-law, Nga Nguyen and husband Yen and Thuy Nguyen and husband Huy.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Peter Son Thai Tran; parents and two brothers, Joseph Ho Tran and John Phac Tran.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 16, 2023 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate.  Interment services will follow at Consolata Cemetery.

A Rosary Friday will begin at 6:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles.  Visitation Friday will be from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM.  Visitation Saturday will begin 9:00 AM in the church.

In lieu of floral remembrances, the family asks that consideration be made to make amends with others or giving assistance to a neighbor or someone in need.