Tam Pacific Pho

1965 - 2020

Tam Pacific Pho obituary, 1965-2020, McKinney, TX

Tam Pacific Pho

1965 - 2020

BORN

1965

DIED

2020

Tam Pho Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 22, 2020.
Tam Pacific Pho, a son, brother, uncle and friend who was deeply loved for his kind and generous heart, passed away on June 8, 2020, at his home in McKinney, Texas, from a heart condition he had been managing for several years. He was born Phó Bá Hồng-Tâm in Saigon, Vietnam, on January 5, 1965, and was the third child of Phó Bá Long and Claire Ðặng. He was airlifted to safety with his family at the close of the Vietnam War and came to America as a refugee in 1975. They settled in McLean, Virginia where Tam attended Kent Gardens Elementary, Longfellow Intermediate, and McLean High School from where he graduated in 1983. As a teenager, Tam loved model rocketry and was a National Champion in 1982. He was also an avid cross-country and marathon runner. His passion for flight and a strong desire to serve his new country led him to seek and accept an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he graduated in 1987 with a degree in Astronautical Engineering. Tam went on to serve in the Air Force at Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he was the manager for the first Centaur upper stage in the Titan IV Spacelifter program. He completed his military service at the rank of Captain and was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal. Tam returned to Virginia to work for Orbital Sciences Corporation where he was instrumental in the integration and testing of the Pegasus launch vehicle, and the creation of an operations control center in Madrid, Spain. He resettled to Texas in 1998, initially to work for Beal Aerospace on the BA-2 launch vehicle and eventually to co-found his own entrepreneurial venture, Aerocross Systems. His company developed the Echo Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System and engineered the Brilliant Eyes augmented reality Head-Mounted Display, the world's first affordable smart glasses designed for general aviation pilots. He continued to work during his retirement as a professional problem solver for both high tech and small business clients, as well as friends and neighbors. Tam especially loved to collect and renovate all manner of things, vehicles, and homes.
In his adoptive hometown of McKinney, Texas, Tam met his long-time partner, Felicia Harris, with whom he shared over two happy decades. He was deeply religious and actively involved in his church and local community, as well as devoted to his large extended family and countless friends. Tam will be missed for his gentle and generous nature, and his willingness to always lend a helping hand to anyone in need without expecting anything in return. Although his heart failed him too early in his life, everyone who knew him could see how big it was, and that it was made of gold. Tam is survived by his mother, Claire, five siblings (Hồng-Phong Bá Phó, Le-Thu Lodge, Hong-Quang Pho, Chau Pho Tung, and Hong-Minh Pho), his beloved Felicia and her grandson Landon whom he loved like a son, and his loyal dog, Ollie.
According to his wishes, Tam will be laid to rest at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The interment ceremony will take place later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tam's memory to the Air Force Academy Foundation or to the National Association of Rocketry .

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Tam Pho's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 26, 2020

Ronald Mock posted to the memorial.

October 2, 2020

DJ Griffin posted to the memorial.

July 13, 2020

Someone posted to the memorial.

Ronald Mock

October 26, 2020

I worked with Tam, at "The Cape" he was a sharp individual, dedicated to his work and a great co-worker. He is sorely missed!

DJ Griffin

October 2, 2020

Aww, rats.
I've not seen you in a long, long time, but I would always tell people that I actually had a friend in school whose name meant "chicken soup."

My condolences and best wishes.

Tam with his parents Long and Claire, 22 June 2002, Lyons, Colorado

July 13, 2020

Dear Tam,

You loved, were loved, and are deeply loved still. That love is now measured by the intense grief of those who are left without the comfort of your presence.

Your gentle strength and kindness are sorely missed as is your support and mentorship of others.

When you graced us at our wedding all those years ago, our one wish for our guests was Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance"- and how your life honored that!

One last thing- could you send a small sign to those you loved best who are hurting the most right now? Double rainbows, hawks keeping an eye on things, shooting stars, a special song... They will know and while it won't stop their pain, it will help. Helping others is one of those choices and actions you did best with the opportunities given you.

Rest in peace, Tam. You are missed.

with love from your cousin Christina and Vince
Boulder, Colorado

Farooq HS

July 6, 2020

Tam was a wonderful person and he was like a family member to us. We truly miss him. He will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace! Farooq

Syed Husain

July 5, 2020

We really miss you Tam and you were like a family to us over the last five years that we have known you. I have met very few people that have been so honest and professional and will really miss our friendship

TUNG Thanh

June 28, 2020

My Uncle Tam,
It is so sad and shocked to hear sad news about you. You have gone too soon!
Please accept condolences from me and our extended Pho Ba Ham family members.
Rest in peace, chú Tâm.

Christian Pho Duc

June 26, 2020

Dear Tam, We light a candle from Germany, take you in our prayers and feel with your great and extended family which is thinking of you with great memories which warm our all hearts in this difficult time of grieve. Christian and Philippa and the whole Pho family in Germany

June 24, 2020

We miss you Tam. Thank you for being in our lives and for blessing us with your goodness.
Love and Peace,
Paul and Family

Joan & John Ngo

June 24, 2020

Memories of Tam always brought smiles to our faces.
Tam visited us often, wherever we were living. On a moving day he came over and helped.
He will be missed but always thought of fondly as a good friend.

Mylan, Minh, Sophie and Amie

June 22, 2020

You left us too soon, Anh Tam. We share good memories of your visits to Santa Cruz to see my parents, rest in peace..

Michael Bitzer

June 22, 2020

I'm so saddened to hear of Tam's passing. He was a great man in many ways both professionally and personally. He made a positive impact on my life and I am grateful and proud to have been a friend. God speed, Tam.

Doc, Lisa, and Tam in front of the McKinney IHOP.

Evan Yeager

June 22, 2020

Tam with CMA group at the Yeager home.

Evan Yeager

June 22, 2020

Evan Yeager

June 22, 2020

You will be missed. I enjoyed and will remember our many Ninja 250 excursions.

We will be praying for you and yours. -- Doc Yeager

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Sign Tam Pho's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 26, 2020

Ronald Mock posted to the memorial.

October 2, 2020

DJ Griffin posted to the memorial.

July 13, 2020

Someone posted to the memorial.