Long Tan Ngo

Long Tan Ngo (Buddha name: Vien Tho), 66, of Jackson, formerly of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away at 6:05 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at his home.

He was born Dec. 10, 1950, in Sai Gon, Vietnam, to Ninh Tan Truong and Nhan Ngo. He and Ranh Thi Nguyen were married in Vietnam.

Long graduated from high school in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the South Vietnamese Army was aligned with the U.S. Army, and Long honorably served in the South Vietnamese Army from the late 1960s to Apr. 30, 1975. He had a heart for the American people and our way of life. His family recalls the countless times he would comment that he would lay down his life for America.

While still in Vietnam, Long worked in jewelry making and jewelry repair. In 1999, the Ngo family moved to Baton Rouge, and he worked many years as a chef for the Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge. In 2016, Long and Ranh moved from Baton Rouge to Jackson to be near a son and his family.

Long liked to swim, play soccer, badminton and Chinese chess. He owned and loved many dogs, all of whom he affectionately referred to as Charlie. He enjoyed growing and nurturing fruit trees, drinking coffee and listening to the birds sing.

Loving survivors include his wife, Ranh Thi Nguyen of Jackson; two sons, Linh Tan Ngo of Baton Rouge and Kevin Huy (Kailyn) Ngo of Jackson (owners of Happy Nails); three grandchildren, Lan-Anh Hoang Ngo, Tu-Anh Ngoc Ngo and Kyle Khoi Ngo; his father, Ninh Tan Truong of France; his mother and stepfather, Nhan Ngo and Van Do of Baton Rouge; four brothers, Lam Huynh Ngo, Son Huynh Ngo, Trung Dinh Do and Nhiem Dinh Do, all of Baton Rouge; four sisters, Dung Truong of France, Lien Huynh Ngo, Mai Huynh Ngo and Ha Thu Do, all of Baton Rouge; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

Cremation accorded by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. All arrangements in Jackson are private.

A memorial service will be at Tam Bao Temple in Baton Rouge.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Saint Francis Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.