Nic Loc

Nic Loc was an amazing man who loved his family more than anything else in the world. Nic was born on April 20, 1965, in Vung Tau, Vietnam, a country ravaged by war and poverty. Nic's father served in the South Vietnamese Army and was often absent during Nic's formative years. Their family, like countless others around them, was painfully poor. As the oldest of eight children, Nic was given a great deal of responsibility caring and providing for the family, a role he maintained for the rest of his life. He was keenly aware of the value of people in his life and had learned many difficult lessons first-hand during those challenging early years. Hardship made him determined, a tad stubborn but most of all, fiercely protective of those he cared for. He valued tradition and kept a strong sense of where he had come from. He also had a sense of humor and enjoyed making others laugh.

Nic had a mischievous side, and even in the midst of trying circumstances he found ways to make life interesting. On one occasion, Nic and his sister Mui wanted to surprise their mother by preparing the family’s dinner, a pot of rice. However, their good intentions backfired by their limited culinary skills. The rice was burnt beyond consumption, and the only logical response for Nic was to bury the evidence in the backyard. In another peculiar situation, while playing a simple childhood game, Nic found himself “forced” to steal his grandmother’s chicken to pay off a bet. (Yes, this is where the wagering began!)

When Nic was thirteen, his parents, Loc and Hue, made arrangements to bring their family to the United States in search of a safer, more prosperous life. They settled in Portage, Michigan. Nic attended Vicksburg High School where he participated in golf, bodybuilding, football, baseball and wrestling before graduating with the class of 1985.

After high school, Nic continued his education at ITT, where he received his Bachelor's in Automation Engineering. Even while studying, he always made time for his family. The first to leave home, he would earn extra money while at school to take his siblings school shopping. Because of this, he was a rock of strength for the family and an example for the others to follow. He taught them to value love and family above all else and the insignificance of money and possessions. Not only did he pass on his strength and wisdom, but also his first car. The orange Datsun dubbed Julie that was given to his brothers in turn. She served them faithfully with no windshield wipers and no heat, giving up only when she also had no floorboards.

It was while he was attending ITT that he met a young lady named Tracy Smith. She lived in his apartment complex and at first he thought she was interested in his roommate. After the initial misunderstanding, they went on their first date. Their evening of mini-golf and Chinese food gave Tracy her first glimpse of Nic's healthy appetite for life. The couple dated for seven years and was married on December 16, 1994. As time passed, their devotion increased and their love grew to include their three beautiful children, Kiaya, Kliricia and Koehl.

Nic's employment experience was varied and sometimes required him to move out of state, including one year-and-a-half period with General Motors in Dallas. A personal goal of Nic's was to work for a Top 3 automotive company. That goal was realized when he was hired at GM, a job he was very proud of. Before their marriage, Nic worked at Contech in Indiana for a year-and-a-half. He then worked for Bentler in Galesburg and later for Lake Park Industries. He had most recently worked at Pfizer, taking a job there in 2002.

Family was a vital part of Nic's life and each one knew how much he valued them. They all made time for each other and family gatherings of one kind or another were held every week. Nic spent time with his brothers (Cau, Tom, Sau and Bay) every week on Saturday for poker night, and usually Thursday night for dinner. He was very active and loved golfing with them. Even when he was no longer able to see, he would ride in the golf cart with them. Every October the men took their annual fishing trip, enjoying the masculine pleasures of steak, chili, deep fried turkey or chicken, and no bathing. He loved going to the casino with his sister Mui, where he used his birth date or those of his wife and children at the roulette table. Along with Mui, Nic was vigilant in caring for and protecting his two other sisters, Phuong and Anh. His siblings were his best friends and vice versa.

Nic loved Tracy deeply and treasured each moment they spent together. One of their favorite times was a trip they took to the Canadian Rockies, leaving their phones behind to enjoy the gorgeous mountains and each other. They enjoyed watching MASH together and working in their yard. He also cherished his children. He taught them to fish and golf, and loved to read with them. He loved taking his daughters to the annual Valentine's Dance where he had them dance on his feet and, like every good father, he showed off some crazy moves to embarrass them. He took the whole family to Orlando for a vacation last year, loving the opportunity to immerse them in all the childhood wonders and spectacular sights and sounds.

Road trips were an opportunity for Nic to indulge his passion for beef jerky. When he traveled to pick up his brother Sau at college, he enjoyed jerky and beer on the ride home. He also enjoyed stopping at restaurants that advertised free meals to those who could down a super-sized steak or fish. He loved seafood and had recently developed a taste for octopus. But most of all, he enjoyed sweets, especially his sister Phuong’s Strawberry Pie. He expressed his creativity and humor by making up his own unique words and pronunciations, bringing smiles and laughter to those who knew him, a trait he passed down to his daughter Kiaya. He did not complain, remaining strong throughout his illness for the sake of his family.

Nic passed away at his home surrounded by his beloved family on Tuesday, February 3, 2004.

Nic is survived by his wife, Tracy; three children, Kiaya, Kliricia, and Koehl; parents, Loc and Hue Loc; siblings, Mui Loc, Cau (Colleen) Loc, Tom (Christine) Loc, Phuong (Steve) Doerr, Sau Loc (fiancée Monica Bryant), Bay (Tricia) Loc, and Anh Loc; parents-in-law, Brenda and John Jameson; brothers-in-law, Robert (Amy) Smith and Larry (Sarah) Smith; grandmother-in-law, Vera Doss; nieces Caitlin, Madison, Jada and Ava; nephews Ryan, Cobey, Cy, Joey and Mason; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, February 5, from 4 - 8 PM, and on Friday, February 6, from 10:00 AM - noon, 2 - 4 PM, and 7 - 9 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane. A Buddhist service and visitation for Nic will take place on Saturday, February 7, from 9 - 2 PM, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at the funeral home. Buddhist Visitation Sunday from 9 am- 9 pm. To read Nic's complete life story, share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Nic Loc Gift Memorial Fund, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com. The Nic Loc Memorial Fund has been created to aid the family of a young child who was recently diagnosed with the same rare cancer which Nic was diagnosed with.

Nic will be remembered as a man who put others first. He exemplified dignity during adversity and leaves his loved ones with a vibrant legacy of courage, determination, and love that will continue to strengthen them for years to come.