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06/04/1955 - 07/09/2010

BORN

06/04/1955

DIED

07/09/2010

Akira Yoshida Obituary

YOSHIDA, Akira (Age 55) Entered into rest on July 9, 2010. He was born in Tokyo, Japan on June 4, 1955 to parents Morimasa and Reiko Yoshida. Akira graduated with a degree in Engineering from Washington State University Pullman; he also received several other degrees, which included a degree in Education. He was a much loved and admired teacher at Ferris High School where he taught Japanese and Math. Akira married his wife of 27 years, Lisa Ganders in 1983, and together they have two beautiful daughters. He was a member of the Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society and the NW International Cultural Exchange Association. Akira is survived by his loving wife, Lisa; their daughters Anna and Mia of Spokane; his mother, Reiko Yoshida of Japan; sister, Megumi Kochi of Japan; brother-in-law, Larry (Robin) Ganders of Olympia; sister- in-law, Linda (Paul) Johnson of Spokane; nephew, Adam Ganders; nieces, Cara Ganders and Lisa Johnson. Memorial service will be Thursday, July 15, 2010 beginning at 2:00PM at Manito Presbyterian Church 401 E. 30th Ave., Spokane, WA. Charitable donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 920 N. Washington, Spokane, WA 99201. RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 4305 N. Division Spokane, WA entrusted with cremation. Online guest book at www.riplinger.com

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Published by Spokesman-Review from Jul. 13 to Jul. 16, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Akira Yoshida

15 Entries

Bob Sanborn

December 28, 2024

Akira was a one-in-a-million kind of guy. I wish his family the best. I just found about his passing.

Bob Sanborn

December 28, 2024

Akira, as colleague and a friend, was a wonderful person who exuded a natural a vibrant energy. It was an honor to have taught along side him for several years, as we taught on-air classes. Great person and a personal model of excellence. May he rest in peace.

Dave Rinehart

July 7, 2021

Sensei was always so patient and had a big, bright smile in class. He really opened my eyes and those of other students to the mysteries of Japan, by showing great videos and offering his own insights. Many of my best memories of high school were in his Japanese classes. I wish he could have lived a much longer life, but am grateful for the time I had with him. Thank you, Sensei!

Dave Rinehart

July 7, 2020

10 years later and Im still in Japan, with a beautiful family and a life Im very grateful for. Its all thanks to Sensei for setting me down this path! I wish more kids had had the chance for their lives to be touched by him. Thank you for everything, Sensei, rest in peace and I hope to see you again someday.

Tai Doan

April 21, 2011

Yoshida Sensei was an amazing man. He inspired me to start learning Japanese during my sophomore year. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with cancer during this same year. We were unlucky to not have him as a teacher for our entire year of first-year Japanese. But, we cherish the very little time we had with him early on in that school year. You would never meet a man with an optimistic humor like Mr. Yoshida's. He would always cheer you up on a bad day. If it weren't for him, I would not be studying hard to go to Japan someday. My entire heart and prayers go out to the Yoshida family. We will always miss you Mr. Yoshida. Rest in peace.

Michael Farley

July 28, 2010

Michael Farley

July 27, 2010

I took Mr. Yoshida's class for 2 years at Joel E. Ferris High School. When I first met him he inspired me to actually study Japanese before I started my first year of Japanese language study. He was the first true friend I had made at Ferris, and I was inspired by him to actually start the first official Japanese Club at Ferris. He also arranged for me to take 3 Japanese foreign exchange students and his daughter, Mia to Ferris's Homecoming Dance. In 2004 I went with him, his daughter Anna and 29 other students for the very first Japan International Field Trip. He was a great man and I miss him very much. If there were any few good people left in the world he ranks way up there in my books. May his family forever be blessed and remember this great man. I miss you Mr. Yoshida. Rest in Peace.

The Price/Tittes Family

July 16, 2010

Praying for the Yoshida family: that they would be comforted by the legacy he left Spokane and that their memory of him would remain vivid and meaningful. I am most appreciative for his gracious encouragement to our son who struggled in first yr Japanese while he also nurtured our family interest in the Japanese culture after our Japanese summer homestay student departed. His encouragement has fostered our love for the culture. God Bless the Yoshida family.

Andrea Smith

July 14, 2010

Mr. Yoshida was my math teacher. He was an a great man and teacher. He took time from his family early in the morning and after school to help me understand math better. What a great man, his smile that could light up any room will truely be missed.

Brian Thorpe

July 14, 2010

Mr. Yoshida was my Japanese teacher for 3 years at Ferris, and was an inspirational and dedicated teacher. My fondest memories of him were of my senior year in 2002. With the handful of Japanese students that had made it to the 3rd and 4th year classes, we had so much one-on-one interaction and bonding with Sensei, and he made me laugh harder than probably any other teacher I had.

Jewel Anderson

July 14, 2010

To an amazing Sensei. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Thank you for nurturing my love of Japan.

Dave Rinehart

July 13, 2010

I took Yoshida-sensei's Japanese class for three years, 1999-2002, right around when he first started teaching at Ferris. He made me interested in Japan and Japanese, so I continued studying at university and am now finishing my fourth year on the JET Programme in Japan. My life would not be the same without this great man; it is so sad to me that more students will not have the chance to experience being taught by him. He was such a kind, generous, dedicated teacher and his classes were the highlights of my time at Ferris. A true role model, someone I looked up to then and will continue to for the rest of my life. He will be sorely missed; my heart goes out to his loving family. We will never forget you, Sensei!

Zachary Goodman

July 13, 2010

A great man and an astounding teacher and mentor. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him. My heart and prayers go out to his family.

ZG (Spokane, WA)

Shelby Ellis

July 13, 2010

I have known Yoshida-Sensei for four years. He was my teacher but also my friend. My group and myself have been through so much with him, even seeing his homeland. He had taught us many things and we all loved him very much. Now to hear that the man of steel is gone... it hurts terribly. I will miss him for the rest of my life. Rest in peace for now, Akira Yoshida. I will see you again. I give my love to his family, hoping they will know that I will not forget him nor will anyone else, so he will continue to live on. I was lucky to have met and known him for as long as I have.

M G

July 13, 2010

Sensei was the greatest man ever, we always talked saying "he was so amazing, hes gonna be immortal" and now knowing that I wont see him next year is heart-breaking, and not just for me, he was a hero to many students and the perfect idol, someone anyone could look up to, I absolutely loved him, everyone adored him. He was too amazing to even put into words, he motivates you, makes you laugh, changes your view of the world, keeps you on a path with a future and is so caring, it almost seems impossible that this could happen, my Condolences to his family, they were all very lucky to be related to such an amazing person.

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