A visitation for Thoai will be held at Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park, 2454 S Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077:
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Thursday, January 5, 2023: 11:00am - 5:00 pm: Buddhist service, chanting, Republic of Vietnam Navy Flag raising ceremony with officers' honor guards, visitation
Friday, January 6, 2023: 11:00am - 5:00 pm: Recitation, Proclamation Presentation by Robert Dembo III, USN, City of Houston - Mayor’s Office, Director - Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, Remembrance ceremony by Republic of VN Multi-Associations, visitation
Saturday, January 7, 2023: 10:00am - 1:00pm: Buddhist service, Remembrance, visitation, Appreciation from Hovanky Family, Republic of Vietnam Navy Flag covering ceremony, Cremation service
Pianist: Ms. Linh Phuong, Composer
For those unable to attend, access the live stream during those hours on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/ChapelOfEternalPeace
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Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelofeternalpeace.com for the Hovanky family.
Thoai Hovanky (Ho Van Ky Thoai in Vietnamese) was beloved and respected by his family, peers, and those he led. Adapting to two very different worlds across almost a century of time, he navigated his life with integrity and honor, earning respect for his endeavors.
Born in 1933 in Can Tho, South Vietnam, the son of a school administrator and teacher, Ho Van Ky Tran and his wife Lieu Cam Hong, and grandson of a Vietnamese author more famously known as Ho Bieu Chanh, his early life was punctuated by the constant drumbeats of World War 2.
His tenacity and dedication propelled him to complete his studies even against the backdrop of war, leading to his enrollment in the Naval Reserve Training Center and eventual graduation and commission as a naval officer in the Republic of Vietnam Navy in 1954. Shortly after, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. For the next 20+ years, he navigated war and politics to emerge as one of the youngest officers to reach the rank of Rear Admiral.
He served with distinction and was decorated numerous times, including two U.S. Bronze Star medals (with Combat V from the U.S. Secretary of Navy, as he would proudly tell you). This included the National Order of Vietnam (Fourth Class), Navy Distinguished Service Order (First Class), Special Service Medal, 8 Gallantry Crosses, 5 Palms, 1 Gold Star, 1 Silver Star, 1 Bronze Star, Navy Gallantry Cross, Armed Forces Honor Medal, Staff Service Medal, and Campaign Medal.
Following the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, he -- like millions of Vietnamese -- became a refugee, ultimately choosing the United States of America, where he had previously trained, to be his and his extended family's new home.
Through hard work and diligence, he once again conquered a new career in the States, rising from a simple bookkeeping clerk to Chief Financial Officer in non-profit organizations dedicated to education. His integrity, logical mind, and jovial sense of humor helped him make friends easily, and he never stopped sharing his insight and jokes to all who would listen. His sense of propriety and fairness often led to people asking him for advice, a common theme and familiar role throughout his life.
Even in retirement, he never stopped being a learner and educator, continuing to write books (to 'set the facts straight' as he would say), giving presentations and interviews on events he experienced during the Vietnam War, fact-checking modern day propaganda, and sharing the wisdom of the lessons he learned.
He is survived by his wife Ann, five sisters, one brother, four sons, five grandchildren, and 22 nieces and nephews.
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