Phong Duy Tran

Mr. Phong Duy Tran, age 97, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025, in West Valley City, Utah. Born on August 18, 1927, in Ha Nam, Vietnam, Mr. Tran lived a life marked by resilience, dedication, and deep commitment to both his family and community.

Mr. Tran completed his high school education in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. He later pursued further training in Australia, where he studied accounting and English—skills that would serve him well throughout his professional life. In Vietnam, he worked as a tax administrator in My Tho and later in parts of Saigon. His career was interrupted by the turbulence of war; after the fall of South Vietnam, Mr. Tran endured six months in a re-education camp without the ability to communicate with his family.

Despite these hardships, Mr. Tran remained steadfast in his determination to build a better future for his family. In 1979, he and his loved ones, after three attempts, made a courageous escape by boat to Malaysia. Shortly after arriving in Malaysia, the family was reunited in the United States with the three daughters attending school in the USA. They settled in West Valley City, Utah—a place that became home for decades to come.

In Utah, Mr. Tran continued his public service as a clerk with the Agricultural Department for the State of Utah. His dedication and work ethic earned him recognition as Employee of the Year multiple times. He also contributed to AFCR, a nonprofit organization that supported Vietnamese refugees, further exemplifying his lifelong commitment to service.

Mr. Tran was deeply involved in his community and church. He served as treasurer for his Catholic parish and was known for his leadership within both family and community circles. His interests were as varied as they were meaningful: he found joy in gardening, traveling, storytelling, and staying informed about world affairs. 

He shared 78 devoted years of marriage with his beloved wife Nhung Duong. Together they built a large and loving family that spans generations. Mr. Tran is remembered by his wife Nhung; his brother Kiem Tran; daughters Ninh Tran (Chan Nguyen), Kim-Thoa Janssen (Jeff Janssen), Thu-Ha Tran (Dr. Tinh Dao), Christina Le (Nhat Le), and Tiffany Hodges (Timothy Hodges); sons Thao Tran (Dr. Van-Anh Nguyen) and Dr. Duc Tran (Dr. Hien Do); and grandchildren Dean Bradshaw, Paul Bradshaw, Boi-Anh Lu, Diem Nguyen, Khang Nguyen, To-Uyen Nguyen, Dr. Katherine Janssen, Jonathan Janssen, Minh Dao, Michelle Dao, Tuyet-Minh Tran, Tuan-Minh Tran, An-Duc Tran, Minh-Duc Tran, Tam-Duc Tran, Vincent Dang, and Vyana Dang.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lieu Phan and Coc Tran; brothers Dung Tran and Dinh Tran; sisters Thung Tran and Thenh Tran; and children Thanh-Tam Bradshaw, Long Tran, and Thu-Lan Tran.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Memorial Mortuaries and Cemeteries located at 6500 S Redwood Road in West Jordan, Utah. A funeral Mass will follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the same location. Burial services will take place immediately following the Mass.

Mr. Phong Duy Tran’s life was one of perseverance through adversity and unwavering devotion to those around him. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him and serve as an enduring testament to strength, love, and service across generations.

Phong's last years were made more comfortable by the Utah Aging and Adult Services organization and the Inspiration Hospice. Both organizations did an amazing job of helping him make his wish of passing away at home a possibility. No memorials are requested but if you would like to donate to Caregiver Support at the following link, it would be appreciated: https://salt-lake-county-aging-adult-services.square.site/