May 13, 1943 - September 11, 2016 Newport Harbor High School, and the entire community, has lost one of its finest. On Sunday, September 11, Jerry Tagami, an extraordinary teacher at the school for 33 years, passed away quietly. He was 73. Jerry was born in 1943 in Gila River, Arizona, in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. His father fought with the American army in Europe as part of the illustrious 442nd battalion. After the war, his family moved to Chicago where Jerry excelled in school. He came west after high school to attend Cal State University Los Angeles, and his academic abilities eventually brought him to UC Irvine for a Masters degree in English Literature. He began work on his PhD, but fate had other plans for this talented young man. In 1970, he was offered a job at Newport Harbor High School, and at first he saw this as a temporary detour on his path to teaching university-level English. But then something unexpected happened-he fell in love with teaching high school. His erudition was immediately obvious to his students and to fellow teachers. He truly loved the written word, and saw it as his goal to inspire that same love in his students. He was a strong academic, but was also open to new thinking about the best ways to motivate students. For example, he brought Simon and Garfunkel lyrics alive as poetic verse. His classroom was exciting with an air of unpredictability-he would spontaneously bring his class outside to view and discuss his motorcycle, then have them read passages from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." This would of course trigger an interesting writing assignment. Jerry was a leader in innovation, and in an effort to attract students who were not interested in standard English literature classes, he offered electives in "Rock Poetry," 'Pop Culture," and "American Film." Whatever class he offered was wildly popular, with a waiting list of students eager to enroll. In the 1980s, Jerry was elected Department Chair and served in this position for the next 20 years. During his tenure the traditional tracking program classes was abolished, and students were encouraged to challenge themselves. He advised the student literary journal, Flotsam & Jetsam, and anchored the Honors program in the 10th and 9th grade. Later, Jerry was a core teacher in the highly-regarded Da Vinci Academy. Over the years, he won numerous awards, and was named "Teacher of the Year" during the time when every student voted for this honor. To his great joy, in July of 2002 Jerry married Diane Arvizu, who is an essential part of Newport Harbor High School's staff. They traveled together to Paris, and had plans for a trip to London when tragedy struck. On February 3rd, 2003 Jerry suffered a brain aneurysm, which nearly took his life. The waiting room of the hospital overflowed with students, colleagues, and friends. His condition stabilized, but he lost much of his short-term memory, although his memory of the past remained vivid. He retired in 2004 because of this condition, otherwise he would have stayed in the classroom he loved. In June, 2015, Jerry was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, which eventually took his life. He is survived by his wife Diane, his step-daughter Jessica and her husband Jake, their two sons Chance and Miller, and by the generations of students whose lives he touched. By using words to reveal a wonderful world beyond the classroom, Jerry Tagami helped his students see the power of learning-to affect change, to create beauty, and even to escape the grips of difficult times. He will be missed.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
He was so great. The humor. The passion for supporting young people. I write today in part because of what he instilled in me. I´m in Paris now, working on my next book. Thank you Mr. Tagami.
Julie Albright
School
September 14, 2022
Mr. Tagami. You were instrumental in teaching me writing. I will never forget you and your cheerful demeanor and sense of humor. You were beloved. I just wrote a book, and many people have commented on how well written it is. I can trace that right back to you.
Thank you for caring enough to make a difference in my life. You will never be forgotten.
Julie Albright
Student
September 14, 2019
I was privileged to have had Gerald Tagami as a Speech teacher, during the 1970-1971 school year. (In the 1st Semester) I think that that was his first year of teaching at Newport Harbor. I remember on the very first day of class, him introducing himself as Mr. Tagami, but, he said, if you can't remember that name, then just call me Jerry. All of us students did, but not as means of disrespect for our teacher. (We always respected him!) For my own reasons, I started attending most of the "home games" of the football team, at NHHS, starting in 1993. And, to my delight, Jerry was pulling "extra duty" of attending one of the entrance gates. Of course, he remembered me, and I always make it a point to stop for a few minutes, before going into the stands, to chat with Jerry. What a pleasure it was to do that. R.I.P. Jerry...R.I.P. BTW, I'm from the Class of 1972.
James Fish
Student
November 7, 2017
I am so very sorry for his family and friends. He was a wonderful man and a NHHS ICON
J.I.M. jr. class of 76
January 12, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Tagami, for inspiring all of your students to dive deep -- into literature and life! You had a tremendous impact on so many and will be missed by all.
Elizabeth Jenson, NHHS 1976
October 19, 2016
Pamela Franklin Keiser
September 25, 2016
I remember when Mr. Tagami told us one day to close our eyes and try to think of "nothing". Before I had the chance to say it he quickly looked at me and said "Fred I know what you are going to say.that thinking of "nothing" is in reality "thinking of something". He was dead right he had me figured out. From this moment on we had a fantastic student teacher relationship in class and during my high school years. Great spiritual leader and a laid back, nice, generous, caring human being.
This planet will miss you immensely!!!
RIP Mr Tagami!!!!
fred piroumian
September 25, 2016
Jerry was a marvelous colleague! We shared pancake breakfasts before school, lesson plans and a positive view of students' potential. I think of him today with great fondness and am so sorry to miss his memorial. He irony and love of life are greatly missed.
Martha Topik
September 22, 2016
I only had one semester of film with Mr. Tagami back in 1999, but it was enough. He inspired me to major in film and study creative writing. I think about his class all the time. Getting to discuss movies in a way I had never thought was possible, listening to music, and the trivia quizzes. He inspired me to take a chance on what I love to do and I have been writing ever since!
Thank you, Mr. Tagami, you will be missed, but those of us who we're lucky enough to be inspired by you will carry you with us always.
Natalie St. Andre-Rulmyr
September 21, 2016
SINCE I MET JERRY IN THE EARLY 70'S HE HAS BEEN MY CLOSEST AND BEST FRIEND. MY ENTIRE FAMILY WAS CLOSE TO HIM. WE WILL MISS HIM DEARLY. GOD BLESS DIANE AND JESS FOR BEING SO DEVOTED TO HIM THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES.
DENNIS AND MARCIA
September 21, 2016
Thank you, Mr. Tagami. The selection of literature through which you guided us wove thread by thread in empathy with the ages of us as your students. I felt my ability to write grow seamlessly. Thank you. NHHS 76, Stanford 80, USC JD 86
Keith Robinson
September 20, 2016
RIP Mr. Tagami. You taught us about life as well as English. Thank you.
NHHS student Class of 1975
September 20, 2016
Thank you Mr. Tagami for all you did for your students. How blessed I am to have been one of them. Condolences to his family.
Lori Norris
September 20, 2016
I had the pleasure of calling Jerry not only a colleague, but a friend. He not only taught his students, but his colleagues as well. He was an inspiration for all. His spirit lives on in everyone of us who was blessed to know him! Much love to the family. I love you all!
Melissa taravella
September 20, 2016
One of my favorite teachers! Always patient and kind. Mr. Tagami will be missed!
Stephanie Goodenough
September 20, 2016
Mr. Tagami was an amazing teacher who made literature and writing something more than just another assignment. His influence remains in my life as I pursue a career in fiction writing. An amazing teacher, man and human being who made 10th grade honors English one of the best classes I ever had.
Maria Seager
September 20, 2016
I adored Mr. Tagami. God bless him for his kindness and sense of humor. He made an indelible mark on my life. Until we meet again- thank you for everything. You meant a lot to us.
Julie Albright
September 20, 2016
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