George Merlin Tam

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George Tam Obituary

George Merlin Tam, 87, of Botetourt County, Va., passed away on Friday, June 4, 2010. Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 540-562-1182.

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Published by Roanoke Times on Jun. 5, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for George Tam

12 Entries

Karen and John Tam

May 30, 2020

I would like to thank George for bringing my husband John Frederick Tam into this world; your son is such a wonderful person and I feel truly blessed that he has been a part of my life for the past 25 years! John and I both Love and miss you and a day rarely goes by when we don't mention your name...

June 24, 2010

Every time that I serve sweet corn -- especially corn-on-the-cob, or frozen creamed corn, I think of George Merlin. Sweet corn was one of his favorite foods. So when he and Oleta would stay overnight in August, I made sure Merlin got "his" corn.l A good man who seemed to always be trying to please others. God has taken you "home: for rest and peace! Will always love you.
Sister-in-law, Opal

Linda Tam

June 23, 2010

I will remember all the great times we all had together through the years. You have been such a big part of my life. I remember all the weekends at the cottage and there was the time you took me to see Ed after boot camp. There were just so many good times! It was hard to see you suffer so those last few days so when the angels took you they took the pain away. I feel comfort that you are in a wonderful place and I know you would say to us: " I am ok and doing fine." That I know. See you in heaven George.

Brenda tam

June 19, 2010

I am fortunate too, to be a tam and have dad tam be my father in-law.he will be missed and be loved.i will miss rubbing his back when i saw him and telling him that is where his son eric gets it.will miss him enjoying his golf cart,he loved it and so glad he had a week to enjoy it.
he will be miss.love all the tams and happy i am a tam.thankyou all for having me in your family.
love you dad and will miss you
with love
Brenda Tam

L. W.

June 16, 2010

Keep George in your heart and may the comfort of knowing he sleeps in peace be a source of comfort. John 11:23-26.

balu bumb

June 14, 2010

When George left Florence to visit his children in Virginia, we never thought that we would not see him again. We assumed that he would return as a healthy man- both physically and psychologically. So it was a great shock to learn that he passed away.

We have known George for 21 years. Not only was he a dedicated husband and father, but also a great neighbor and friend. More importantly, he was a selfless helper. Whenever we had any problem in the house, we would consult him and he would come running with his engineering skills and tool box and fix the problem. If additional parts were needed, he would run to the store even in rain or snow, bring the parts and fix it. Many times he refused to take money even for parts. He was our “Advisor-in Chief”.

We talked and walked together numerous times. He had wealth of experience and knowledge about the life in general and the wars and corporate world and politics in particular. He enjoyed knowing about conditions in Africa and other parts of the world where my travel takes me. He was always optimistic about life.

Great people do not do great things in great way; they do simple things in great way and that’s what makes them great. George, you were a Great Man.

When I return from my evening walk, I still look at the spot where you used to sit and still feel that you are there, saying “howdy, Balu”.

Chandra and I miss you very much but your presence will always remain with us- many years of happy interactions.

God bless you and the rest of the family.

Balu

Cherice Webb

June 12, 2010

What a wonderful grandfather! Bless his heart,I will not forget how he held onto that bear I gave him in the hospital a few days before the angels took him. He will always be remembered! Love you Grandpa Tam! :0)- Cherice Webb, Roanoke Va

Brian McCann

June 6, 2010

Great man and grandfather, he will be missed dearly. What a great veteran that he was and also loved, cared, and enjoyed being around his family at all times. Miss you very much and will see you in the afterlife!

Karen Tam

June 6, 2010

I was very fortunate to have known George Tam for 15 years. He was a wonderful father and father-in-law.

We will miss him no doubt...Godspeed.

With Love & Sympathy,

Karen -

John Tam

June 5, 2010

Ode to George Merlin
6/4/2010

Dad died this morning. I saw him alive just yesterday. The news of his passing was neither a shock nor a surprise ... but still it was.

After the initial thoughts, feelings and special prayers – I’m sure a natural phenomenon with all humans who lose a loved member of the family – I put my mind in a different place and had a chance to reflect on the man and his life, as I knew it.

Hooray for George!
He lived 87 full years. The average white male in the US experiences only 75.3. He and Mom remained married for 66 of those years and have loved each other for even longer. He raised 5 kids and was always there to help us, support us, worry about us and to applaud our life’s successes. With 5 kids there was never a shortage of one of us having something going on. Without question, he was always there and helping.

In his work, he worked hard, sometimes probably too hard, but was still able to retire from the corporate world pretty early in life. He and Mom got a chance to travel a bit, had a lake cottage, built a house, and did the obligatory move to Florida that seems to be the law when you retire. He flew airplanes, drove a boat, was on a bowling team for years and loved watching Purdue basketball. He drew the line at driving motorcycles or golf balls though.

He always remembered his family’s and his friends’ special days; staying in touch with high school friends, war friends, college friends, family friends and work friends. God bless him – he outlived nearly all of them – and he had a lot of friends.

Dad was humble – down to earth - honest. Always level-headed, he could analyze a situation and come up with a solution. He was considerate and caring of people, even total strangers. When you talked with George – he listened.

What can a son say about the death of his father? “He had a good life”? “He had a long, full life”? “He was a smart, caring and loving person”? “He was a good man”?

Yes – to all those things,Yes. He was a Great man.

We will all miss you very much, Dad, but you will live in our hearts forever.
You are not gone, you are just on a journey to a better place.
You are just away.

Thank you, Dad – for everything.

I love you.

John