Henry Akio Nozaki

Henry Akio Nozaki, 93, born in Waialua, HI, resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, passed away on September 28, 2025.

As a youth, Henry played many sports and excelled at baseball. He would have been completely focused on sports had it not been for an opportunity to attend Saint Louis School of Honolulu where he came to appreciate academics and graduated in the Class of 1950. One of his favorite subjects was Chemistry, and he would go on to teach it later in life.

He enrolled at USC and was there for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Assigned to Johnson Air Base, he heard that the baseball coach was looking for players. He tried out and played 2nd base and short stop for the team, which played against Japanese professional baseball teams, as well as other teams in league games. Upon his honorable discharge, he was approached to try out for a Japanese professional team but elected to go back to the U.S. and finish his education at USC. It was there that he decided to become a teacher.

During his first year of teaching, he met his future wife, Naomi, whom he considered the greatest gift he would ever receive. Together, they would welcome two children, five grandchildren, and three grand-dogs. They would eventually teach at the same high school, San Pedro H.S., where Henry would coach the Boys' Varsity Soccer team to two L.A. City Championships and be inducted to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Henry enjoyed running, golf, and gardening. He took up running and completed the PV Marathon a few times. If he wasn't on a golf course, he would be outside tending his garden. His life changed when he accepted Christ as his Savior in 1979. He read the Bible, prayed, and found peace knowing that he was saved.To say that he was devoted to his family would be an understatement. He raised his two children to persist, do their best, and value integrity. Becoming a grandfather gave him an opportunity to not only teach but spoil his grandchildren. And as the primary caregiver for Naomi for many years, he exemplified the full meaning of love.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; children, Stacey (Randy Stenberg) Nozaki and Douglas (Erica Dickerson) Nozaki; grandchildren, Ryan and Luke Stenberg, and Katherine, Caroline, and Matthew Nozaki; brother, Kenneth (Thelma) Nozaki; he is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 a.m. at Palos Verdes Baptist Church, 28 Moccasin Lane in Rolling Hills Estates. The family kindly encourages aloha attire.