Tony was a great guy.  He was very easy-going and carefree.  Even though our conversations were often short he would say just enough to make me feel better.  When he saw me in the hallways of our building he would smile, move his eyebrows up and down and then greet me with "What's up man?”  Sometimes that would be the extent of our conversation.  At other times we would talk about our projects, previously held jobs, computers, real estate, food and just about anything else.

Tony was also very generous.  There were a number of days when I would walk over to his desk and he would invite me to help myself to his jar full of candy (White Rabbits, sesame chews and green coconut sticks).  Some of the things I appreciated about Tony were his calm demeanor, his “Why worry, what for?  Be happy!” attitude and, of course, the way he laughed.  I miss Tony and I'm sure his family and friends do too.  I send my thoughts and condolences out to them.

It was a pleasure to have met and known you Tony!  I remeber running into you in the hall ways and having several short conversations with you.  You always made me laugh and your laugh alone was very contagious.  My deepest condolences to your family.  You will be greatly missed!

DOM,

Thanks for being my friend.  You were one of a kind and I was lucky to have met you.  Wherever you are I hope the women are pretty and the cards are hot!

I join with others who new "Tony" in offering my deepest sympathy.  Tony's smile will be missed.

I have appreciated you as an individual, coworker and friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your friend and your family during this time. You will be missed my friend.

Tony, I really miss you. You were one of the most reliable employees any branch manager could ever have. You always had a great attitude about work and life. I can remeber when you first joined our branch in the mid-90s. We worked on numerous projects together, most notably the range laser certification program. We had some great trips to the East Coast visiting sponsors and customers alike. Your laugh was unique and contagious. It is going to be different not seeing you play tennis with Eric at lunch. You were a special person to our branch and I feel blessed to have worked with you all those years in my branch. I know you will bring great energy to the universe as you move on. Take care my friend. You will be always be missed.

Dear Uncle Thuan / Brother Tony,

So sorry that I could not speak to you at all while you were in the hospital. I must wonder who took my voice away the entire time of nearly two weeks! Was it God or was it you, or both at the same time? That did not entitle me to say thank you for all that you've done and taught me, or even a simple good-bye?

Yes, I called you uncle because you were my mother's only true biological sibling/brother.  However, she raised you from the time you were 5 or 6 years young ----- long before she met my father.  In essence, my mother was a single mother; and my father knew that if he wanted to marry my mother, he had to accept you two as a package deal.  My father gladly did that until he died.  If anything, I am certain my father saw you more than his brother-in-law, because you handled yourself as the only son my father ever had.  It was you who informed others about his death, when my mother didn't have the strength to have done so nearly 25 years ago.

The reality was you were more my brother than an uncle.  You taught me how to play badminton first then tennis.  You gave me the skills, the joy, and the love for the game!  Among many other things that you've taught me (which my husband also has you to thank for), you taught me how to drive extremely well!  In fact, my husband and best friend often wondered why I didn't become a race car driver.... Not only were you a knowledgable teacher, but you were a tough teacher.  I am so glad that you were a tough teacher, because, in retrospect, my best teachers were my toughest teachers!  My parents and you were irrefutably my best teachers!  By having instilled in me the concept of tough love, the three of you have me continually do my best to make sure that my kids (150/+ students per year) are challenged to do the very best that they can on a daily basis.   

People say little girls grow up to marry someone like their fathers.  I, however, grew up to marry my best friend, who has the finest qualities in both my father and my only brother Tony.  

There's a quote that I recently learned from a friend:  "Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God." --- Ronald Reagan.
Brother Tony, that was exactly how you lived your life!  I only realized that when your numerous friends attended your funeral and informed us so.  Besides helping out other family members, we had no idea that all along you gave a substantial amount of your income to help out the homeless and orphans.  You were so compassionately giving that you kept the truth from us, because you gave without mentioning, calculating, nor expecting anything in return!  Only after your funeral service then did I realize that, since your own parents didn't raise you, you always saw yourself as an orphan and that's why you did so much to give back!

I am certain that you were so good in life that you had to die young (a Latin proverb).  I am also certain that you/your spirit are in a much better place over in the other world by now.  I, as well as so many others whose lives you've gently touched, will always remember your love, kindness, generosity, and probably most of all, your unique characteristic laughter and bright warm smile!  

Tony/Thuan Quang Ta
June 6, 1958 - March 17, 2012

Tony,

I will always remember our great tennis matches; espicially the ones in 110 degree heat. Your way of life will always be an inspiration to me. Everytime I will step on the tennis court I will be hard not to think of you. I will surely miss my great tennis partner.

Dear Thuan Ta,

I had met you few weeks ago when you crossed at breeze way in NSWC Corona with your big smile and called my name: "Hi Sharon".  It is very sad to hearing you leaving us too early.  I will miss you when you have gone with God.  May God protect your soul in heaven.

Sharon Nicholas,

Though I didn't know Tony Ta well, It always brought a smile to my face when I heard him laugh. Tony was a quiet and unassuming individual who went about his business without making a big splash. He seemed a good and kind individual who enjoyed his life. May you find the same happiness in the next place.

In loving memory of a wonderful person.  You had a great smile and laugh. You will be missed.

OBITUARY

Thuan Quang Ta

March 17, 1958 – March 17, 2012

Peek Funeral Home

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