Buddy was born July 2, 1976, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. His family immigrated to the United States and settled in Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Palo Duro High School, where he was also a part of the International Youth Department at First Baptist Church of Amarillo. Buddy graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from Devry University before dedicating his professional career to the science of blood transfusion medicine and safety. He was a passionate teacher and lecturer in his field and built a large network of colleagues across the United States.
Buddy and Phanmaly Meuangkhot were high school sweethearts and married on May 22, 2004 before settling in Lubbock to start their family. Their first child, Noble, was born in 2007, followed by a daughter, Ava in 2015.
Nothing was more important to Buddy than family and community. As a husband, father, brother, son, uncle, friend, colleague, neighbor, and volunteer, he was tirelessly dedicated to taking care of those around him. Buddy shared his love of cooking, including many of the dishes he learned from his mother, and always made room for extra chairs around the dining table. When stepping up to volunteer, be it for a martial arts event, a school function or a Ballet Lubbock production, he showed his natural leadership abilities and eye for efficiency. Nothing gave him more sense of pride than sharing in the accomplishments of others and celebrating their successes.
Buddy’s strength, sense of humor, nurturing, sage advice, enthusiasm, and ability to make everyone feel like family are going to be deeply missed.
Buddy was predeceased by his loving wife, Phanmaly, and his parents, father, Nho Van Nguyen and mother, Chi Le Nguyen. Survivors include, his son and daughter, Noble and Ava; brother and his wife, Son and Douangmala Le; sister, Trang Tran; nieces, Dalena Le and Makenna Madsourivong; nephews, Justin Le and Ryan and Shaun Tran; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Buddy passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on the evening of Friday, August 16, 2024 in Pensacola, Florida while on a family vacation.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Ballet Lubbock at https://balletlubbock.org/make-a-gift/ or Meals on Wheels at lubbockmealsonwheels.org.
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