James "Bon" Nguyen, age 55, resident of W. Main St., Shelby died Thursday evening, September 30, 2010 at his home following a courageous three-year battle with cancer. He was born November 10, 1954 in Da Nang, Vietnam. At age 16 he joined the South Vietnamese military and volunteered to serve in the elite airborne division. He proudly served alongside U.S. military forces and was closely associated with several Americans whose friendships became an important part of his life. In 1975 he was sponsored and welcomed into the United States and later accomplished one of the major goals of his life by becoming a U.S. citizen. He lived in North Carolina and Virginia until 1977 when he relocated to Shelby and was employed at AMF. After a short period in California, he returned to Ohio and was hired by Copperweld in Shelby where he worked until the onset of his illness. A hard worker, Bon enjoyed working around the house, gardening and working with electronics. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Phuong Nguyen; two daughters, Lan Nguyen of Dayton and Oanh Nguyen of Tiffin. Also surviving, in Vietnam, are his mother and seven siblings. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother. Friends may call at the Barkdull Funeral Home in Shelby on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Private funeral services will be held for the family on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial expressions may be made to the Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr., Ashland, OH 44805.

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