From classmate Corey LaBuff (Mullins):

I met Tam when we were in 4th grade at Alamo Elementary School in Galveston. His family had just immigrated from Vietnam and he was adapting to his new life in America, as he struggled to understand our culture and English. I considered Tam to be my friend from that point on. We kept in touch through high school and into college. We ended up both studying at Texas A & M in Galveston for a brief period together in 2005/2006. We sort have lost contact after I moved away in the summer of 2006. Tam drowned in March of 2009 while he was swimming in a river in San Marcos. He was studying Mathematics and Computer Science at Texas State University. His sister contacted me and told me about his death. I was very saddened to learn of this news. I attended the funeral services with his family. I have contacted his sister, Kim, and asked her to let me know if there is any information about Tam the family will want included to properly honor him. I am waiting for her response.