"Thuyet Ngoc Nguyen, 81, of Kentwood, MI, passed away on June 25, 2025 peacefully in his home.

Thuyet was born in Quang Nam, Vietnam, to Thoang and Hoac Nguyen. As the oldest of five children, he always made sure his siblings and parents were taken care of before himself. Along with great devotion for his family, Thuyet had an endless passion for music. He was often seen on the guitar playing and singing for those around him. In addition to performing, he enjoyed writing and directing music programs for various community events.

It was the musical endeavors that led Thuyet to meet his wife, Nghia Pham. She was a choreographer for a local theater dance group where Thuyet was volunteering. They connected through music and eventually became high school sweethearts. After graduating from Chiến Tranh Chính Trị college (College of Political Warfare) in 1968, he went to serve in the southern Vietnamese army. Thuyet and Nghia got married during Christmas, 1971, after which he continued his military service until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 with a final rank of lieutenant.

After the war, Thuyet was sent to a re-education camp far away from home. Despite the distance, Nghia made numerous treks on foot to visit him throughout the 6 years he was there. Upon his release in 1981, Thuyet worked miscellaneous jobs to provide for the family. In July of 1994, he, Nghia, and their 3 children immigrated to Michigan through the Humanitarian Operations (HO) program. The family established roots in their new home, where Thuyet continued to use his musical talents to give back to the community that welcomed him with open arms. Deeply committed to uniting and uplifting the local Vietnamese community, Thuyet spent more than 20 years organizing cultural events and creating spaces for others to share their talents and preserve their heritage. He often served as the emcee at these gatherings, playing a vital role in keeping Vietnamese traditions alive.

Thuyet's legacy will live on through the music and performances that continue to inspire and will be shared for generations to come. He is survived by his wife, Nghia Pham, three children: Sonny, Thuc-Nhi, Justin; 3 grandsons Stanley, Cody, Milo, and 3 granddaughters Lotus, Gem, and Aila."