It is with incomparable grief and regret that we announce that Colin James “CJ” Vinh Pho, a resident of Ohio and student of Kent State University, has passed away on the early morning of August 23, 2022 at the age of 22 in the University Hospital Medical Center Trauma ICU.
Colin was born on January 19, 2000 in Riverside, California, the son of Debra Diane Pho and Jonathan Viet Quoc Pho, both of whom were at his side in the moments of his passing.
Colin moved to the state of Ohio with his family in 2008. It was here, tucked in a blue house by the lake, where he experienced the august, unchallenged tranquilities of early childhood - and adolescence - with every sense of permanence exhibited in a child who knew no better: taking turns on the chores, taking walks with the dogs every three hours, getting in trouble for playing outside after the street lights turned on, and playing with (torturing) his siblings.
He began attending public school hitherto, and Colin had immediately struck his teachers and peers as an extroverted, polite, and kind-hearted pupil, who never failed to brighten up the classrooms with his quick wit and humor. Alongside his father, he discussed his high school Calculus course and fixated on Mathematics and Sciences, of which he was intensely enthused. He ultimately graduated from A-Tech in 2018, before going to Kent State of Ashtabula and later transferring to the main campus of Kent State University, with every intention of majoring in Computer Science with a concentration on Game Programming. He received his Associates Degree of Science in 2022, becoming the first of his siblings to receive a degree.
It was evident throughout his childhood that he would go on to focus on technological and leisurely activities and avenues and potentially pursue them for work; Colin made no secret of his enthusiasm for these things as well as for the arts. His interests were eclectic and wide-ranging: he thoroughly enjoyed playing and reviewing games with friends and family, computer programming, practicing the saxophone and piano, playing D&D with his friends, listening to music and singing, creating his own music, and even had his own spells in acting on stage. From others, Colin was described as charismatic, radiant, and charming. From these peers, he is immortalized.
His liking can also be found in his four siblings, Mackenzie, Aiden, Nathan, and Abigail, and he spent all but a year of his life with all of the aforementioned as well as Nancy (Nana) Lena Aleridge. He is lived on by all mentioned heretofore as well as his doting grandmother Thanh (Ba) Le Nguyen Pho. He was a model son, grandson, and - most particularly - a model brother to his younger siblings. He maintained an integrity with his family, close or far, as well as with every close acquaintance and never let his gripes or disagreements ferment for long before personally resolving them.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, from 11:00a - 12:00p with a funeral service to immediately follow at 12:00p at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming and Billman Funeral Directors, 526 W. Prospect Street, Ashtabula, Ohio, Those wishing to honor the decedent may donate or send memorials directly to the parents of the deceased
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Colin James Vinh Pho, please visit our floral store.