Deacon Loc Nguyen died Friday, January 22, 2021.
Loc Nguyen was born in 1949 in Vietnam. As a teenager he attended seminary, and later served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Loc, along with thousands of Vietnamese, came to the U.S. seeking refuge from communism. Alone and without family, Loc arrived in Camp Pendleton. He subsequently settled in Los Angeles where he met his future wife, Quynh Nga. They were married in 1977 at Sacred Heart Church in Covina.
In 1991, after thoughtful discernment, and with the support and encouragement of his wife and several priests, Loc decided to answer God’s call to the diaconate. Deacon Loc Nguyen was ordained by Roger Cardinal Mahony in 1995, becoming the first Vietnamese permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He was assigned to St. Christopher Church in West Covina, where he served for more than 25 years. He served in RCIA, marriage prep, baptisms, vigils, life teen programs, and as assistant spiritual director of the Vietnamese Cursillo. Deacon Loc always strived to live his life in the way most pleasing to God.
Deacon Loc is survived by his wife, Quynh Nga; his son, Vinh Nguyen; and his daughter, Kim Thien Nguyen; as well as a daughter-in-law, Chi Luu; and a grandson, Kevin Nguyen.
