Peter Sagara Obituary

Peter T. Sagara Longtime resident of New Mexico and Colorado, passed away on March 26, 2012 in Albuquerque at age 80. Cherished husband to Amanda, devoted father to Kevin and Pat, beloved father-in-law to Deborah and Stephanie, and adored grandfather to Kyle, Kate, Geoffrey and Lindsey, Peter left an indelible mark on his family and the world of advertising photography. He was born in Sacramento, CA, where he lived until he and his family were sent to a concentration camp for Japanese Americans in Rohwer, AR, during the Second World War. Upon release the family moved to Michigan for a short while before returning to CA, where not long afterward Peter joined the Air Force during the Korean War. It was during this time he first experienced the excitement of photography, so upon his discharge he enrolled at The Art Center College of Design where he graduated with honors in 1960. Peter married his first wife, Chiyo Yoshida, and after their two boys were born, moved to Chicago where he set up his initial photography studio. After six years of a successful business there, the family moved back to CA where Peter established himself as one of the outstanding advertising photographers in Los Angeles. After retiring in 1987, he and Amanda lived for a short while in northern CA before moving to Santa Fe, NM, where they have lived for 22 years. He was able to pursue his two greatest pleasures, photography and fly fishing, wherever he lived, and has been a memorable mentor to those he met. Peter was preceded in death by Chiyo; his brother, Frank Sagara, and his sister, Grace Kurisu. He is survived by his wife, Amanda Moore; his sons, Kevin Sagara (San Diego, CA) and Pat Sagara (Escondido, CA); four grandchildren; sister, Alice Yamate (San Diego, CA) and brother, Norman Sagara (Garden Grove, CA); and two brothers-in-law Cyrus Moore (New York, NY) and Pickens Moore (Gallup, NM).

Published by Santa Fe New Mexican on Apr. 1, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for Peter Sagara

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Dear Peter...
I am sure you are still there. Do you know that every year on December 7th Amanda and a group of your past assistants and I call one another and talk about our incredible old times in your studio? We check on each other like family because we are family. You made us this way. It´s such a gift! Thank you, Peter.
With love forever,
JoAnn and Jim

JoAnn and Jim Stricklin

Friend

March 26, 2023

We´re still trying to follow in your footsteps, Peter. Thank you for your gift of love and kindness to all.

Jim and JoAnn Stricklin

March 27, 2022

A dear man. Knew him through Photography venues for Nestle Purina. Cherished time with he an Amanda. Miss his presence.

Bill Hogan

Friend

March 26, 2021

Amanda,
I have had you and Peter on my mind and just this week did a search and discovered his passing. It was one of the joys of my life and career with Purina to have the privilege of knowing you both, I am sad for your loss. May you know the peace and enncouragement of God at this time. A wonderful book which may be of help to you is; Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. God bless you and your family

Bill Hogan

August 30, 2012

Sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed working with Peter and he always put a quality edge on what ever he shot. We did some nice ads and his work put it over the top. My condolences to his family.

Bill Fortune

August 14, 2012

I had the pleasure to work with Peter, Chiyo, Keith and JoAnn in the early 70s, and we had just begun the process of re-connecting when he was taken from us. Peter's memory will always bring me a smile. He was a man of integrity, warmth, compassion, intelligence and great humor who embraced life with a glint in his eye. His passing leaves me with sadness that he is gone, yet joy that he was part of my life. I will never live up to his example, but I am a better man for having known him.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Bill Braly

April 2, 2012

I was very fortunate to have worked with Peter. He contributed to my success in photography. I am so sorry that he has passed away. I really liked Peter and I will miss him very much.
All my very best to his wife Amanda and family.
Raiko Hartman

April 2, 2012

I worked for many photographers when I assisted in Los Angels. No one made me feel more at home and part of the family than Peter.

Richard Salas

April 2, 2012

Peter was my mentor, my friend and my inspiration and I am so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to represent him to the advertising world for 12 years. It was not hard representing Peter. His talent in photography, perfectionism, professionalism, fun loving personality and love for the people around him made going to the studio every day a tremendous pleasure. We had such fun and, at the same time, he taught me so much about how to conduct my personal life and business life. He was the perfect example.

No words will ever describe the loss we all feel but, I'm confident “he is waiting for us, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.” Our love to you, Amanda, and to the entire Sagara family---
Jim and JoAnn

Jim and JoAnn Stricklin

April 2, 2012

I knew Peter through our shared love of dogs and natural beauty. Peter and I would meet up on walks with our dogs in Nambe and talk about books. "readin' anything good?" He was thoughtful and insightful and always interesting and I will miss our walks and talks. Thank you Peter, for having shared your time with me, I will miss you and remember our time together. and I"ll take very good care of your Joey when I sit for him. He is a really special pup.

Anna Dustin

April 2, 2012

I feel very fortunate to have worked for Peter and Chiyo so early in my career.
They gave me an opportunity when I first began location scouting and when I had very little experience.
They inspired me to be better, and for that I will always be grateful.
To this day, I strive to meet the standards that I learned from Peter.
Peter, Thank you.
Danny

April 2, 2012

Amanda and family. We are very sorry to hear that Peter passed away. It seems like yesterday that we last saw both of you. We feel very lucky to have known Peter and we will think of all of you often.

Fred and Anne Ortiz

April 1, 2012

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