Tam M. Burgess went to be with Jesus on Friday, August 23, 2019. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he moved with his family to South Carolina in 1959. He is a graduate of Aiken High School, the University of South Carolina (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration), and Webster University (Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Management).
Tam served in the United States Army in the Vietnam War with the 18th Artillery, 197th Infantry Brigade. He received the National Defense Medal, Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations against Hostile Forces in the Republic of Vietnam, and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.
Tam retired from South Carolina State Government in 2008, having worked in the areas of accounting and computer technology. He played on the basketball team for the University of South Carolina – Aiken, and was a fan of many sports, especially USC Gamecock football. He enjoyed gardening and model trains, and he and his wife, Rose, enjoyed travel. He was a faithful and strong Christian and served in his church and in his neighborhood organization.
Tam is survived by his wife, Rose, of 50 years and daughters; Ann Mazza (Larry) of Bridgeport WV and grandchildren, Brett and Kathryn Booth; and Bethany Paetow (Dale) and grandchildren, Ryan, Rachel and Reese Paetow. Tam and Rose have made Lexington their home since 1974.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina, 121 Executive Center Dr., Suite 135, Columbia SC 29210 (www.biaofsc.com/) or to Flourish Church of Lexington, 235 Line St., Batesburg, SC, 29006 (www.flourishchurch.net).
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