Mitsuo Okamoto

Mitsuo Okamoto, 91, passed on Aug 4, 2017 in Chandler, Arizona. Mitsuo was born in Terminal Island, CA on June 20, 1926 to Seitaro Okamoto and Otama Yuwami Okamoto. He was the third child out of ten, growing up in a small fishing village near Long Beach, CA. As a young adult, he helped his father by working on his fishing boat until the start of WWII. In 1942, his family was sent to the Mazanar Internment Camp, where he graduated from Manzanar High School and then drafted in the Army. He was trained at Camp Wolters, TX as an infantry replacement for the 442nd Regiment. In route to Italy, the war ended and he served as a Quartermaster in Germany instead. After serving the military, he returned to Seabrook, NJ, where he was encouraged by his mother to get a college education. He used his GI bill to attend Drake University and received his BS in Chemistry. He worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, in the Food and Inspection Department in Maryland and eventually relocated in San Francisco, CA. His military friend, Gene “Giichi” Nakatsu, introduced him to his sister, Helen Nakatsu, who he fell in love with and married. “Mits,” as he was known by those close to him, and Helen lived in Pinole, CA until he retired in 1981. He then moved to Tempe, AZ to be close to his wife’s side of the family. Mits and Helen didn’t have any children, but they were surrounded by many nieces and nephews who loved them dearly. Always an intellect, Mits constantly encouraged children to get a college degree. Mits is predeceased by his wife, Helen Nakatsu, his brothers Kiyo (Jean) Okamoto, Wataru (Midori) Okamoto, Kaname Okamoto, and his brother-in-law Dan Archetto. Mits is survived by his sisters Shinako (Masaru) Takeda, Shizue (Mike) David, Yaeko (Minoru) Hirata, Hitomi Archetto, his brothers Seika (Inge) Okamoto and Takeshi (Karen) Okamoto, and his sister-in-law Sachiko Okamoto. He was an avid golfer and a big fan of the Phoenix Suns basketball team. He golfed until his mid-80’s, walking the course and analyzing his strokes. He lived a Shogun-virtue life – with loyalty, integrity and honor. Despite his internment at Manzanar, he was a proud U.S. citizen, never unwavering his patriotism and upholding the namesake of the Japanese-Americans. He was an honest, morally ethical man who didn’t shy away from hard work and someone you can always count on. He was full of knowledge, providing articles and vitamins to help combat ailments of all kinds. Funeral arrangements are made with Richardson Funeral Home (www.richardsonfuneralhome.org) at 2621 South Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282. Tel. 480.449.1000. His celebration of life is scheduled at 3:00pm on August, 12, 2017. Visitation start at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Arizona Humane Society (www.azhumane.org) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org). Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the family.

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Visitation

Saturday August 12th, 2017

2:00pm - 3:00pm

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Celebration of Life

Saturday August 12th, 2017

3:00pm

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Committal

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

Tuesday August 22nd, 2017

10:00am

Phoenix, AZ