Duc Lam Obituary

Forever in our Hearts
c "Duke" Minh Lâm
From Saigon, Vietnam to San Juan Capistrano, California
May 16, 1941 – June 6, 2025
c Minh Lâm, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away at the age of 84 of natural causes. He is now reunited again with his beloved wife of 56 years, Loan Kim-H ng Lâm. c is survived by his daughters Lan Lam and Lien Lam, son Daniel Lam, and five beautiful grandchildren, Dylan Lam, Lauren Lam, Elle Felicetti, Brandon Felicetti, and Alex Lam. Family, friends, neighbors, and the San Juan Capistrano community where c called home for nearly forty years will never forget his joy, humor, and kindness.
c was born May 16, 1941, in Saigon, Vietnam and was the fourth eldest in a large family with seven other brothers and sisters. c quickly learned the importance of respect and responsibility; he helped care for his younger siblings, even learning to drive at a very early age so he could chauffeur his parents and siblings around when needed. Balancing out his structured childhood, c was often found running around town with his friends and siblings, chasing dogs, playing pranks, and even getting into mischief. c was as charming and carefree as he was serious and disciplined. Through grade school, he attended Lasalle Taberd, a French Catholic school in the heart of Saigon, where he thrived scholastically and learned to speak French fluently. c would go on to obtain his bachelor's degree and then join the military.
As a cadet in the Republic of Vietnam army, c would soon meet his future wife, Loan. Loan, too, came from a large family-one of seven siblings. It was one of Loan's sisters who connected the two. Drawn by Loan's infectious energy and zest for life, c knew he had found someone special. He and Loan began dating in 1964 and eventually married on December 22, 1968. By then, Vietnam was fully engulfed in war. Loan was working for the U.S. Embassy while c served as Captain in the army. Little did either know that life for both was about to change in unimaginable ways.
The war in Vietnam was nearing the end in 1975. Millions of people would soon find themselves without a country to call home. c's wife, Loan, and their baby daughter Lan, would be fortunate to have escaped before the end of the war. For c, and many like him who saw combat and the horrors of war firsthand, they would not be as fortunate. Shortly after the fall of Saigon, ranked military personnel in the Republic of Vietnam army were sent to prison camps. c was held captive for six years, where he witnessed and endured numerous atrocities.
When c was finally released, he knew it was only a matter of time before he would be persecuted again and began searching for a way to escape Vietnam. He connected with a group of villagers who were also searching for a way to escape. The villagers had acquired a small fishing boat but needed someone to help navigate. c led these men, escaping under the cover of night to sail across the dangerous open ocean, where he used the stars to navigate through total darkness. c sailed towards Malaysia and was eventually rescued by a passing merchant ship. It was there in Malaysia where unironically, the stars aligned, and he learned that not only did his family escape, but that they were safe and living in California. The Red Cross and Catholic church would help reunite c and Loan, bringing closure to a painful past but opening the door to a new beginning.
The year 1981 would mark a miraculous reunion for c and Loan. c, after suffering through adversity, succeeded in his harrowing escape from Vietnam. It was bravery, willpower, love, and the help of countless individuals that brought c and Loan back together. Loan's story can be found in part in her obituary and details her own heroic efforts to escape Vietnam while pregnant with a three year old in tow. Loan had been living in California since her escape in 1975 and was her daughters' superhero. The Lam family was together at last and almost complete. A few years later, life would bring more blessings as c and Loan welcomed her third child, Daniel.
c, after years of war, starvation and abuse in prison camp, struggled to adjust to his new life. To Lan, c was unrecognizable, having lost nearly half his weight from when she last saw him; Lien was now just meeting her father for the first time. Despite the adversity, c did everything in his power to ensure the future success of his family. At home, he was his children's mentor and teacher. He pressed upon his children to have self-respect and to give respect to others. Above all else, he taught the importance of bearing a strong moral compass. When he wasn't building his children's character, he was busy introducing them to the many wonders of life. Amongst a long list of valuable life skills, c taught all his children how to swim, play tennis, drive a manual transmission car, and change the engine oil. c's children are forever grateful for the love and wisdom he imparted to them; they would not be the people they are today without his leadership and affection.
c was loved by all. He was a pillar of his Vietnamese church community for decades. Friends and neighbors would describe c as affectionate and joyful. Those in c's life will remember him commanding the dance floor with his samba and tango or recall how smoothly he could sing "Unchained Melody" during karaoke. Ask anyone who spent an evening of festivity with c and they'll likely describe to you a night filled with laughter, hugs, and great conversation. For those lucky enough to be in his inner circle, c would have introduced them to his specialty cognac and Perrier soda. Whether it was a festive event or a quiet dinner, c made you feel valued.
Despite c's painful past, he never wanted to be defined by his struggles. To him, they were scars that served as motivation to propel his family to success. Today, it is without doubt that c's children and grandchildren can say that they are grateful for everything they learned from him for he helped mold them into the successful people they are.
c was a lifelong teacher and learner. His children will forever remember the countless life lessons and skills he taught them. There was never anything he "couldn't do," and he made sure his children grasped life with the same attitude. c was proud to know that any one of his children could patch drywall and grout tile, but he was extra proud to see that they all achieved success in their careers. Chúng con d m l n cu i c'ng v i Ba. "M t, hai, ba-u ý chà, u ý chà, u ý chà, r i ng "
c will live on through his family. His loved ones will cherish their memories together with him and smile every time they come across one of c's many hobbies and iconic interests. Here are just a few reminders that his loved ones will never forget:
• c was Vietnamese, French, and American all in one. He loved:
o Ph bánh cu n
o Croissants, baguettes, Brie cheese, Remy Martin X.O. cognac
o Hamburgers, 90's Hollywood action films (Van Damme, Stallone, Schwarzenegger)
• c was famous for his sense of humor and sarcasm. There is no doubt that those close to him can recite one of the many jokes, puns, or stories he used to tell.
• c had the greenest of green thumbs. The house was full of orchids that he meticulously cared for. The front and back yard were full of roses, succulents, and a variety of fruit trees and herbs. c was known to rescue dying plants from friends and family, nursing them back to life before delivering them back to their owners.
• c could cure every imaginable ailment with Eagle Brand medicated oil
• c religiously started and ended his day sitting in his full-body massage chair
Please join our family in remembering c. We kindly invite you to the services below:
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church
33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, CA 92629
When: July 1, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ascension Cemetery
24754 Trabuco Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
When: July 1, 2025
Time: Following funeral ceremony (approximately 12:30 PM)