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Duong Van Tam
(March 8, 1935 - July 29, 2022)
Tam Van Duong passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on July 29, 2022. The Duong family celebrates his tremendous life filled with perseverance, bravery, courage, strength, love, loyalty and faith.
Born in Cai Rang, Vietnam, Tam grew up during the early turbulent days of the Vietnam conflict. Orphaned at a very young age, Tam persevered to take care of himself as well as helped raise his younger brother Thanh. He married Hieu Thi Nguyen in 1965, settling down in the city of Can Tho and together they had six children. A self-taught mechanic Tam supported his family, working on boats, transporting cargoes on the rivers and waterways of South Vietnam.
In 1978, three years after the fall of Vietnam, Tam risked his life and courageously took his family across the South China Sea to escape communism. Rescued on the high seas by World Vision, Tam spent 9 months on Pulau Tengah as a Vietnamese "boat people" refugee. With the sponsorship of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Tam found freedom when he immigrated to America making New Era, Michigan his home in 1979.
Under the most difficult conditions and trying circumstances, Tam worked tirelessly to support his large family. He moved from jobs to jobs doing what was necessary to provide for his wife and children. Working at Kurdziel Industries Inc. of Rothbury, Michigan was his most long lasting and meaningful employment. Tam's work at the foundry enabled him to send his children to college, his life-long goal upon arriving to America.
Following his retirement from Kurdziel, Tam moved down to Plant City, Florida. It was there that he was able to finally enjoy his life. Tam traveled widely around the U.S. He was able to visit the old country as well as France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Tam didn't leave behind fame or wealth as he had none. What he did leave behind to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild is examples of persevering against seemingly insurmountable odds...courage to do what is right and good...strength to overcome any obstacles...love and loyalty to family...and faith in God...important qualities and virtues for success in life. Tam will be missed...
Tam loved his family dearly and took tremendous pride in his six children. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Hieu Thi Nguyen; Daughter Dien (Michael) Strickland; son Ngan (Diep); daughter Anh Pham; son Tai (Xuan); son Duc (Lisa); daughter Hien (James) Liu; 15 grandchildren, Sarah, Quoc (Christiana) , Binh, Christian, Lauren, Brandon, Lillian, Justin, Ashley, Ethan, Nicholas, Abby, Audrey, Vivienne, Julian; one great granddaughter Connie. He is also survived by younger brother Thanh (Tam Le) Tran and cousins and nieces in Chicago.
The family will receive friends Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563.
A Mass service will be held Friday, August 5, 2022, 10:00 AM at St Clement Catholic Church, 1106 North Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563.
In lieu of flowers, our family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation to support the Department of Malignant Hematology. Donations can be made by mailing a check to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, MBC-FOU, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612; online at give.moffitt.org/memorial; or by calling 1-800-456-3434 ext. 1403. Please note that the donation is in memory of Tam Van Duong in support of the Department of Malignancy Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care
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