James Kin Wai Tam

2023. He was born August 15, 1940, in Toisan, China to the late Wei Chow Tam and Chiu King

Tam and predeceased by sister Sonya Chin. Tam was a life-long entrepreneur and restaurateur.

He began his career as a grocery store owner in Greenville, Mississippi, before moving to Ponte

Vedra Beach, Florida in 1974, where he was the long-time owner and partner/operator of

Pagoda Chinese Restaurant (along with his grandfather Wei Chow Tam, and partners Mon Lee

and Richard Chin with locations in Jacksonville Beach, FL (223 9th Ave South, from 1975-2002)

and Jacksonville, FL (8617 Baymeadows Rd., from 1984 to present), as well as Hot Wok in

downtown Jacksonville (3118 Edgewood Ave from 1995 through 1997). Tam was one of the first

to bring authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine to the Jacksonville area, and was one of the first

Asian-American entrepreneurs in St. Johns County as a commercial real estate owner/investor,

as well as restaurateur. Tam is a graduate of Guangzhou High School. He was actively involved

in the community and a member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and as a supporter

of Allen D. Nease Varsity Baseball. Most importantly, he was a man who truly loved his family.

He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55

years, Susan Tam, and sons, Tommy Tam (Ponte Vedra Beach) and Jimmy Tam (spouse

Jocelyn Tam) of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his siblings Melinda Lee (Santa Cruz,

CA), Steve Tam, Vance Tam (Jacksonville, Florida), Lena Wong (Walnut, CA) and Jan Li

(Laguna Niguel, CA). He also leaves his loving grandchildren, Nathan Joseph Tam (16) and

Noah James Tam (14). The Tam family welcomes friends at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home (940

Cesery Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32211) on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm for

a Memorial Service with Pastor Mike Howliet as celebrant. Interment service will be Tuesday,

Feb 21, 2023 at 10 am at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery (4750 Palm Valley Rd. Ponte Vedra, FL

32082) . Flowers may be sent to Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home Southside, 940 Cesery Blvd.,

Jacksonville, FL 32211.