Dau Van Tran

Dau Van Tran, age 60, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on February 14, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on January 2, 1965, in Vietnam.

Dau’s life was a remarkable journey of resilience, hard work, and devotion to his family. After immigrating to the United States, he first settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, and later moved to Utica, New York. It was in Utica that he met his former wife, Jennifer Tran, and together they raised their four daughters.

Dau had a vibrant spirit and a wide range of interests. In the 1990s, he owned a pool hall on Bleecker Street, where he enjoyed playing pool and building community. He loved soccer, was passionate about fishing throughout his life, and was known for cooking delicious, authentic Vietnamese meals. He worked for many years at NYS Tool Co. in Chadwicks, NY, demonstrating the same work ethic that defined his entire life.

Later, Dau's adventurous and hardworking nature led him to California, where he began working on a shrimp boat. That opportunity took him to Texas and eventually to Bernice, Louisiana, where he owned and operated a chicken farm. No matter where he lived, he gave his all to provide a better life for his family.

Dau never gave up on his dreams. He tried several times to become a U.S. citizen, and his perseverance was rewarded when he was finally naturalized in August 2016—a moment of deep pride and fulfillment for him.

Dau returned to Vietnam regularly, and it was there that he met his current wife, Thi No Le. They married in 2012 and had two sons. Dau was deeply committed to reuniting his family, and after years of effort, he successfully brought his wife and sons to the United States in 2022—a triumph that meant the world to him.

He was predeceased by his father, Do Tran; his mother, Thanh Nguyen; and his brother, Hong Nguyen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Thi No Le; his beloved daughters, Nicole Bruzzese (Fred), Marlana Tran, Kimberly Tran-VanCourt (Bill), and Katrina Tran; his beloved sons, Ben Tran and Den Tran; his grandchildren, Frederick Bruzzese, Bennett Bruzzese, and Simon VanCourt; and his siblings, Nam Nguyen, Duoc Nguyen, Bay Nguyen, Nga Tran, and Lap Nguyen. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

A funeral service to honor Dau's life will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 12:15 PM at Mary, Mother of Our Saviour Parish, Lourdes Campus in Utica, NY. All are welcome to attend the service and join us afterward for a celebration of life at Packy’s Pub in Washington Mills.

Dau's legacy lives on in his six children, in the memories shared by all who knew him, and in the life he built through perseverance and hard-work.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the college fund of Dau's 2 minor children. Donations can be made to the family directly or by using the gofundme link here: https://gofund.me/e903661d 

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com