Paul Okano

Paul Okano July 1, 1944 - October 16, 2025

Paul was born in Oregon, inside a Japanese-American relocation camp where his family was detainedfor 3 years. Growing up, he spent summers helping his dad, a farmer, dig ditches and plant potato seeds.Even with his mother’s early death, he knew education afforded an exit out of poverty, and Paul became an excellent student who loved math, read countless books, and played the clarinet. He won scholarships to attend Oregon State Univ., and then a National Science Foundation award to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology at UCLA. There he met Jeanne, a graduate student in English, who quickly became his soul mate.

After marriage, they journeyed to the East and the National Cancer Institute. He went from a post-doc, then lab scientist, and finally program director in the Division of Cancer Biology. His work was to ensure that the best science was funded in the fields of DNA damage, mutagenesis, and genomre maintenance. He became a friend to scientists around the country, helping them to earn grant money. One of them was a past NCI Director. In 2024, Paul was distinguished with a Director’s Award in 2024.

He was a devoted father. David, Stephen, and Christine could always count on help with algebra problems, chemistry equations, car engines, and pitching a baseball. Vacations were important to him, and the family took many trips to national parks, such as Bryce Canyon, Everglades, and Yellowstone. Paul also encouraged the children in piano and clarinet and listened with pride at their concerts. Most of all, he read to them. The Bible, Little House series, Greek myths, and the Arabian Nights all came alive during nightly story time.

Over their 52 years together, he and Jeanne shared a deep love. Each enriched the other with interests and expertise foreign to the other. Their world embraced grandkids, church, Nats games, museums and plays, book club, walks in the park, card games, and travel to many countries. Paul’s faith was uncomplicated and sure, fueling a purpose-driven life, to love and to better serve his God. He looked forward to an eternity spent with his Maker.

You got there first, dear Paul.