Kim Kessler

Kim Kessler, 69, of Fannett, died Saturday, April 28, 2018. She was born on June 23, 1948, in Long-Dúc, Vietnam. Kim came to the United States in 1971 and married George Craig Kessler.

She loved to garden, fish, and cook. Her compassion for others was her greatest attribute. When Catholic Charities brought all the Vietnamese refugees to the St. Anthony school building in Beaumont, she worked tirelessly as an interpreter and helping them find US sponsors, jobs, and homes. She became a naturalized United States citizen in December 1975. Kim built her house in Fannett in 1979 with her husband, George Craig, and father-in-law, George, literally one nail and board at a time. She was a devout Buddhist and member of the Buu Mon Temple since its inception in 1984. She worked for Fisherman’s Reef Packing Plant for thirty-years and helped to support her family in Vietnam.

Survivors include her husband, George Craig Kessler; sisters-in-law, Linda Austin and her husband, Howard, Nguyen Thi Yen, and Dinh Thi Mai; nephews, Nguyen Van Phah, Nguyen Van Phuong, Nguyen Van Huong, Nguyen Van Su, Nguyen Van Dong, Nguyen Van Bi, Nguyen Van Bé, Nguyen Van Giai, and Nguyen Van Linh; nieces, Nguyen Thi Phê, Nguyen Thi Thu, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Nguyen Thi Lý, Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa, Allison Ross, and Cara Miller; and Goddaughter, Hoa Nguyen.

A gathering of Mrs. Kessler’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 Bayou Brandt Drive, Suite B, Beaumont, Texas 77706.

A special heartfelt thanks to Houston Methodist, Riceland Hospice, and the Winnie Hospital for the loving care they provided.