Dominico Ái Trọng Nguyễn

Nguyễn Trọng Ái was called home to his Heavenly Father on March 14, 2026. He was born on February 2, 1942, in Bùi Chu, Việt Nam, to Nguyễn Văn Học and Nguyễn Thị Hon. He was the third child among his siblings, Nguyễn Thị Sa, Nguyễn Thị The, and Nguyễn Thị Thơ.

At the age of 33, he fled Việt Nam with his family by boat and was rescued by the United States Navy. He and his family were transported to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, where they were among the 50,809 Vietnamese refugees received during the Việt Nam War. In 1976, Ái was sponsored to live with William and Laura Gentille of Van Buren, Arkansas. Shortly thereafter, he married Đằng Kim Toàn. Together, Ái and Toàn raised six children—Albert, Theresa, Anthony, Tina, Tessa, and Andrew. They lived in Van Buren until 2021, when they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A devout Catholic, Ái was guided deeply by his faith in God and exemplified resilience, hard work, sacrifice, and service. He overcame the trauma of war, language barriers, and racism to build a successful and meaningful life for his family. Through determination and perseverance, he earned a college degree from Westark Community College (now the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith). This achievement allowed him to advance from an assembly line welder at Rheem Manufacturing Company to a Quality Control Engineer.

His children witnessed his extraordinary work ethic daily. For many years, while completing his degree, Ái maintained a rigorous and demanding schedule. He woke at 5:00 a.m. for work, returned home at 4:00 p.m. for dinner, and at 4:30 p.m. drove Toàn to her job at Tyson Foods. He then returned home to study at the dinner table and attend evening classes. After only a few hours of sleep, he would wake at 2:00 a.m. to pick up his wife from work, repeating this routine day after day.

Ái was deeply committed to serving his community. To support the integration of Vietnamese families into the Fort Smith area, he worked with the Fort Smith School District to help transition refugee children into Sunnymede Elementary School. On January 8, 1986, Ái and Toàn became proud citizens of the United States. They immediately began sponsoring and housing Vietnamese immigrants in their home. After their children graduated from Van Buren High School, Ái and Toàn became leaders in the Vietnamese Catholic youth organization Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể.

Ái lived a full life marked by gratitude and joy. He loved fishing and could often be found along the Arkansas River casting for bass, crappie, sauger, or catfish. Weekend fishing and camping trips became cherished family traditions. He supported his children in all their pursuits by purchasing instruments and equipment, attending performances, and making financial sacrifices to ensure their success. His joyful laugh and booming voice were unmistakable, and his generosity and warmth will never be forgotten.

Nguyễn Trọng Ái was preceded in death by his parents, Nguyễn Văn Học and Nguyễn Thị Hon, and his sister, Nguyễn Thị Sa. He is survived by his wife, Toàn; his children and their spouse/partners, Albert and Amy Nguyễn of Germantown, TN; Theresa and Shawn Gilstrap of Van Buren, AR; Anthony and Ashley Nguyễn of Little Rock, AR; Tina and Nick Young of Lowell, AR; Tessa and Patrick Fowler of Jonesboro, AR; and Andrew Nguyễn and Aarron McClanahan of Little Rock, AR; and his 10 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 5:00PM with a Rosary following at 6:00PM on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home (8801 Knoedl Court). Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00AM on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church (4000 N. Rodney Parham Road). 

Smith Little Rock Funeral Home

8801 Knoedl Ct, Little Rock, AR 72205 501-224-2200

www.SmithFamilyCares.com