Hirotada Murakami

Hirotada was born on July 17, 1932, in the town of Paia, (on the island of Maui, in the State of Hawaii), to Masao and Kimiyo (Watanabe) Murakami. He was the fifth of six boys born and raised on a sugar plantation. Hiro's late brothers, (Howard, Gordon, Robert, Harry and Melvin), were very close and looked after each other. Later, the family took in a cousin, Glenn, whose mother died in childbirth, and the brothers considered him their 7th brother.

When Hiro was around 11 years old, he fell on his hip, which exposed a bad infection. He was hospitalized for most of that year and had to miss a whole school term while wearing a cast from his chest to the toes on his left side. While he recovered from the infection he was left with one leg shorter than the other, causing him to limp noticeably. This, however, this did not stop Hiro from excelling in sports such at baseball and basketball. He never viewed his limp as a disability and continued to pursue his love of fishing & camping, which he would pass down to future generations.

The #5 Murakami boy attended Maui High School where he made the Varsity baseball & basketball teams, was a Junior Prom Attendant, sang with The Troubadours and was voted one of the best dancers in his senior class.

In the 1950's, the mainland beckoned Hirotada and his cousins to Los Angeles, where he and attended trade school. Sally Toba, his fiancée on Maui, followed and they were married on December 23, 1955, in an intimate ceremony. After honeymooning in Las Vegas, the settled in a small apartment and eventually moved into a rental house in Los Angeles. In 1958 they welcomed daughter Sherie, and 15 months later, a son, Myron.

The Murakami family purchase their first home in Simi Valley and moved in December 1961. As December was an auspicious month for this couple, of course they purchased their second, and final, Simi Valley home in 1971 -- just in time for Christmas.

Hiro worked as an electro-mechanical engineer, eventually settling in at Litton Industries for over 35 years. During this time, he made quite a few life-long friends and learned to play golf. Over the years he participated in sports leagues such as softball, bowling, and golf.

He and Sally were very supportive of Sherie & Myron's school activities, attending every play, recital, concert and game. This carried over to their grandchildren, where they attended almost every local soccer game that Ally and Brenton played in, driving as far as Northern California and San Diego. They were such regulars that the team parents and coaches expected to see them at all the games and asked about them if they were absent.



Hiro was proud of his green thumb as he tended to his bent grass lawn (mowed to look like a putting green), fruit trees, plumeria plants & orchids. The love of gardening & horticulture was shared between Hiro and Sally and eventually led to their travels around the world. They were part of a group led by Bruce Asakawa (a noted horticulturalist, author & radio personality) and his wife Sharon. Together they visited England, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, China & Japan.

Golf was Hiro's favorite activity. He was thrilled to play courses as famous as Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines and Kaanapali, but was most at home playing various courses around Southern California and Nevada. He played 2-3 times a week well into his 80s.

Most people who knew Hiro also knew he loved to sing. On one visit to his brothers on Maui, they introduced him to a karaoke machine, and his world would never be the same. With his karaoke machine in tow, he would sing for family, friends or anyone who would listen. He enjoyed performing at the biennial family reunion, his granddaughter's wedding reception (her first dance), and a live orchestra during one of their Japan trips. He also took ukulele lessons at the Senior Center in Simi.

Although Hiro lost his ability to speak during the last years of his life, he continued to enjoy watching his beloved Dodgers, Lakers and the PGA on television.

Hirotada passed away peacefully late on February 14, 2025. His daughter believes that he wanted to join Sally in time for Valentine's Day. He is survived by a daughter, Sherie Frame; a son Myron; a granddaughter Allyson Rodriguez (Eduardo); a grandson Brenton Frame; a great-granddaughter Jayliana Rodriguez; and two great-grandsons: Jaxton & Jasen Rodriguez.