Tan Phung lights up every room with his personality, his infectious laughter, and his engaging, talkative nature.
Obituary
TTan Phung, beloved father, husband, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024 surrounded by family at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Irvine CA. Tan was born on October 22, 1956, a man whose presence and warmth enveloped all those around him.
Tan is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Phung, whom he married in 1981 in Santa Monica CA. Together, they created a beautiful family and instilled in them the values of love, respect, and integrity. His legacy is carried on by his devoted children, Theresa Vuong and Tan Phung Jr., and cherished grandchildren, Davin and Audrey Vuong.
Tan's life was punctuated by moments of joy - the successful startup of his company, Modern Information Systems in 1982, the birth of his first child in 1983, the arrival of his second in 1987, and becoming a grandfather in 2016 and 2018. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy and he was celebrated as the "World's Greatest Grandpa." Warm, friendly, and always full of stories, Tan was someone who brought light into every room he entered. Known for his jovial nature, he was a talkative jokester who never failed to bring a smile to those he interacted with.
Tan enjoyed simple pleasures of life. His pastime included being with his grandchildren, fishing, and capturing precious memories through his lens. His favorite game to play was Chinese Chess - a testament to his strategic mind, and ping pong - he was a champion. A fan of Kenny Rogers’ music, Tan often filled the house with his favorite tunes. And, his favorite movies were Bruce Lee's, which he would watch over and over again. Tan also enjoys writing poetry for his wife, who when asked rolls her eyes and lovingly complains ‘all the time’. During his cancer journey, Tan realized his gift at sharing emotions through prose and expanded to writing impactful poems to share with the cancer community.
Tan is proud of the life he built. Coming to the United States in 1975 as a refugee, he overcame the obstacles of language and culture. He pushed himself to grow personally, professionally, and adapt to the completely new world. He relied on himself and his life was filled with joy, warmth, and lots of laughter, qualities he passed on to his beloved children and grandchildren. His spirit will live on through the love and memories he has left behind. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Here is one of Tan Phung's poems titled Embrace of Solace:
In a room where silence speaks,
A soul endures, both brave and weak.
O cancer, unbidden, why choose me,
To bear this burden, this relentless sea?
Eyes, once the home of hopeful gleams,
Now harbor quiet, pain-filled dreams.
In each pang, a constant fight,
Yet in the depths, a flicker of light.
Through this storm, I seek a grace,
A gentle peace in this harsh place.
In every pain, in every sigh,
I look for strength, as days go by.
The clock's hands march, relentless, true,
Marking moments, both old and new.
How long must I endure this test,
To find some rest, to find some rest?
Yet, even as tears trace sorrow's line,
A glimmer of hope, subtly divine.
Life, in its fleeting, fragile span,
Reveals the depth of the human clan.
To those who read, with hearts that feel,
Know this journey is profoundly real.
In each word, a silent cry,
For compassion, for a tender sigh.
O cancer, though you've taken much,
You've not dimmed the human touch.
In struggle, in pain, in quiet defiance,
Lies a soul's unyielding resilience.
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