Son Ly

Son Kim Ly, 92, of Birmingham, AL, returned to his heavenly home on the morning of May 17, 2025.

Son was born on January 1, 1933, in Gò Công, Vietnam. In 1953, he traveled to France for education and military training. Upon returning to southern Vietnam, he served in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, rising to the rank of major. He served alongside American forces until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

While serving, he met Chau Cam Huynh, whom he married in 1962. Together, they had eight children as they moved throughout Vietnam in support of his military career. In 1993, Son immigrated to the United States. After a brief stay in California, he settled in Birmingham, AL, in 1995, living with his daughter Phuong.

After losing his wife to cancer in 1986, Son found faith in Christ and was baptized in 1989. He would remain a devoted Christian, dedicating much of his later life to theology and ministry. In 2006, he earned a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A passionate scholar, he often read theological texts and studied the Bible in its original Greek and Hebrew, building on his fluency in Vietnamese, French, and English.

Son believed in the power of education, not only to shape his own life, but as a legacy he hoped to pass down to future generations. He encouraged his grandchildren to pursue learning with joy and purpose, often gifting them workbooks or sitting beside them to help with their studies. To him, education was both a gift and a responsibility. At his core, Son was a teacher: patient, soft-spoken, and deeply loving. Whether guiding his family through life's challenges, mentoring others, or sharing his faith, he led with quiet strength and a heart full of grace.

As a faithful and well-loved member of North Shelby Baptist Church, Son served as a quiet but powerful witness to the grace and goodness of God. He led with gentleness, humility, and always sought to reflect Christ's love to everyone he met. His faith was the cornerstone of his life. It continued to give him strength, even as his health faltered.

Son was preceded in death by parents Ngan Kim Ly & De Thi Tran, wife Chau Cam Huynh, & third son Tri Quoc Ly. He is survived by eldest son David Quoc Ly, second son Van Quoc Ly, eldest daughter Huong Lan Ly, second daughter Anh Lan Ly, youngest daughter Phuong Lan Ly, fourth son Chi Quoc Ly, and youngest son Tuan Quoc Ly. Son is also survived by his 14 grandchildren.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that he is now at peace in the presence of the Lord he loved so deeply. His legacy lives on through the lives he shaped and the faith he passed on.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Memorial services will be held at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held on May 22, 2025 from 4:00PM-6:00PM.

Funeral followed by a graveside service will be held on May 23, 2025 at 10:00AM.

The family kindly requests no flowers or donations. Your presence, prayers, & memories are the greatest gifts you can offer at this time.