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BORN
1936
DIED
2018
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Akio Idemoto Obituary
Oct. 16, 1936 – Jan. 15, 2018
Resident of Freedom
Akio Idemoto, born in Salinas, CA to Kenji and Fujiye Idemoto, passed away on January 15 at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz due to complications from cancer.
Akio's love of his family was exceptional and was the most important thing in his life. He is survived by his three sons, Jon, Roger (Sai) and Michael and 2 grandchildren, Shina and Iris. Akio's wife of 40 years, Kay, predeceased him in 2003. He is also survived by his companion of 10 years, Kristin Okimoto and by his sister Mary Iwami, brothers Kunio (Aggie) and Tom (Miyo) and many relatives.
During World War II he and his family were interned in Poston, AZ and Tule Lake, CA. After the internment his family relocated to Watsonville, CA.
After graduating from Watsonville High School he attended Hartnell college. Akio served in the U. S. Army from 1958 to 1960 stationed in Frankfurt Germany. Upon his return from the Army, he married Kay, and they became the adoring parents of their 3 sons.
He was a proud member of IBEW, Electrical Union having worked for 39 years as an Industrial Electrician before retirement. His major achievements were working on the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, UC Santa Cruz, Stanford Hoover Tower and the PGE plant in Moss Landing
During his life he enjoyed playing tennis, poker with friends, fishing, volunteering for Buddhist church activities, yoga and traveling. Having toured Japan 6 times, he was a Japanese History and movie buff. An avid Warriors fan, he never missed watching a game.
He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. He had warmth and smiled and laughed readily and touched many lives with his easy going nature and generosity with his time. He was a man of great integrity, sincerity, honesty and modesty. His handsome presence lit up the room. Akio loved life and was taken from us all too soon. His loss will leave a big hole in our hearts that will never be replaced.
Services will be held on Feb 10 at 11 am at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple. Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
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Memories and Condolences
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Suzie DePrimo
January 21, 2023
I will never forget you dear Akio. You are in a better place than us but we will all meet again when we are called home and our hearts will be full of laughter. Thank you for being in our lives and loving my friend Kris.
Suzie DePrimo
January 21, 2022
Still remembering the wonderful times with you here. Four years later, Still missing you Akio.
Suzanne Deprimo
January 21, 2020
Your smile, your laugh, your kind and gentle way, the joy you brought to Kris's life I will never forget my dear friend. Rest in peace.
Suzie
Aleah Gutierrez
January 15, 2019
Rest In Peace
Suzie DePrimo
February 3, 2018
You were the brightest light in Kris's life dear Akio. I am honored that I got to know you through Kris and loved your visits with me and Oliver. I remember all our laughs on the bus in San Francisco and the picnic at Cline's. I remember flying kites with you and Kris and Jim. You were always a joy to be around and so gentle and kind to my Oliver. I will miss you my friend. God speed and bring you home till we all meet again. Your light will shine forever bright in my heart and in all those whose lives you touched.
Evelyn Nelson
February 3, 2018
God speed Akio.
Beautiful times!
Leo Tugan-Baranovsky
February 1, 2018
With sadness and heartfelt condolences to Akio's loving family and to you Kristin.
What are we to do? We remain in life, we remember, we cherish memories, we pray, we hope and we continue with sadness and with the coming joy. We will be reunited as sure as flowers bloom in spring.
But for now...Life is bittersweet
January 28, 2018
With heartfelt sympathy. Please accept my deepest condolences. May you continue to cherish his precious memories together. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort to offer you comfort and to give you the strength to endure during these difficult times ahead.
January 27, 2018
Our condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. Isa 61:1
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