Thomas Truong Duy Pham

Thomas Truong Duy Pham passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on September 15, 2022, at the age of 88. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kim Nguyen and their four (4) children: Tri Pham and his wife, Thien Huong Ngo; Thuy Pham and her husband, Long Ngo; Thoa Pham and her husband, Thanh Nguyen; and Tuan Pham and his wife, Mimi Zaw. He was a devoted grandfather of twelve (12) grandchildren, Thang Pham, Thuy Vy Pham, Ryan Pham, Sophia Pham, William Ngo, Lisa Ngo, Lynda Ngo, Katie Nguyen, Matthew Nguyen, David Nguyen, Emma Pham and Alex Pham. He is survived by his sister Diep Pham, her husband, Trang Nguyen and their children; sister Nga Thi Pham (deceased), her husband, Hoa Mai and their children, and brother, Tien Pham, his wife, Loan Huynh and their children. He is predeceased by his mother, Yem Thi Nguyen and his father, Thien Duy Pham.

Truong was born in Luang Prabang, Lao, on March 25, 1934. At the early age, his family moved back to his ancestor land in Quang Binh, Vietnam (VN). He completed high school education at the Institute de la Providence – Hue, in 1954. After high school, he joined the South Vietnam Military Academy in Dalat, VN, and graduated with honors in Science and Mathematics in 1957 (K12). With a rank of 2nd lieutenant, Truong began his military career as a signal corps officer for the Army of Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 23nd Infantry Division at Pleiku, VN. Between 1965-1969, at the height of the Vietnam War, Truong was promoted to Captain and became a Company Commander for a Signal Supply Battalion in an Army Installation in Dalat, VN. This location had seen many battles and Truong had earned accolades for his leadership and courage defending the installation from communist insurgents. In 1972, Truong was promoted to Major serving as Deputy of Commander – Area Maintenance and Supply Facility in Long Binh Army Depot, VN. In 1974, he was leading a team of five (5) ARVN Officers to study Systems Engineering at the US Army Communications-Electronics School (USACES), Fort Monmouth, NJ. On 30 April 1975, South Vietnam fell to the communist. The 5 stranded ARVN officers were eventually discharged from USACES on 30 June 1975; thus, ending their proud military career.

Truong’s happiest day was when he rejoined his wife and children in America in July of 1975. A sudden change of fortune in a new country was tough and difficult. From the beginning, Truong had to work many odd jobs to earn money to survive; however, the hardship did not deter him from pursuing a higher education for a better future for him and his family. Truong earned his Associate in Applied Science in January of 1979 from Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. He was employed as a social worker for the U.S. Catholic Community Services after graduation. He was very dedicated and passionately provided assistance for many newly arrived refugees from all over the world including the Vietnamese “Boat People”. In May 1990, at the age of 56, Truong graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Science from Rutgers University (NJ). He was employed at the Lambda EMI Inc. as a computer analyst until retirement in 2001.

Truong spent all his time in America living in Monmouth County, New Jersey. His favorite hobbies included fishing, walking on the boardwalk, and enjoying quality time surrounded by his children and grandchildren. No one who met Truong would forget his genuine and infectious smile. Truong was a loving and caring person, a devoted husband, father, grand-father, brother, uncle, and friend, who would always think of others first. Truong was also a devout Catholic. He prayed the rosary every day and had done many volunteer work. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. May he rest in peace with the Heavenly Father.

Viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Devol Funeral Home, 10 E Deer Park Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on the same day, Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 07:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Vietnam Parish, 11812 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Truong Pham’s memory to his beloved non-profit ARVN veteran magazine, CSVSQ Da Hieu, P.O. Box 8628, Fountain Valley, CA 92728. Please ensure to include "K12" after Truong's name. Thank You.