Thien 'TJ' Van Phan

THIEN "TJ" VAN PHAN

Hiawatha

Thien "TJ" Van Phan, 67,

of Hiawatha, passed away from a sudden illness on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his most faithful and devoted wife, Thu, and his four children, John, Jennifer, Thomas and James.

Thien was born June 4, 1949, in Pakse, Laos. He lost his father suddenly at the tender age of 13. Childhood was challenging without his father as he, his mother and sister struggled to survive. His Vietnamese culture and values provided him the direction and strength to carry him throughout his life.

His life changed for the better when he married his wife, Thu Thi Phan, on Aug. 20, 1973. After several attempts to get to a refugee camp, they finally were able to immigrate to America with their infant son, John, in November 1975. Without a penny in his pocket, he never lost sight of the American Dream. It was here in America that he could protect and provide the life for his family, a life that he never had.

Working and providing was his way of loving his family. Thien worked for many years as a master tailor. He and his wife owned T & James Tailoring Shop in downtown Cedar Rapids. The "T" stood for Thien and "James" for his youngest son.

Along with Thu, they raised their children to value family and education. Education would be his children's ticket to a better life and achieving their own American Dream. They would not have to experience the hardships that he faced. Opportunities were bountiful for his family.

Thien was an avid fisherman and hunter. He had a beautiful garden he enjoyed tending to so it would provide fresh vegetables for family dinners. Thien also was a great storyteller, and people were naturally drawn to him and his stories.

Thien is survived by his wife, Thu; his four children, John (Onny) Phan of Mesa, Ariz., Jennifer Phan of Hiawatha, Thomas Phan of Hiawatha and James Phan of Hiawatha; and grandchildren Madison and Ethan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister.

Thien's family would like to thank the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and its Palliative Care staff for the kind and compassionate care Thien received during his brief illness.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.