Dr. Thomas Osamu Miyata

Dr. Thomas Miyata, 69 of St Joseph, died May 6, 2010. Dr. Miyata was born on July 7, 1940 in Waialua, Hawaii. A celebration of life will be held 1:30pm Friday, May 14,2010 at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. Visitation will be held Friday 12:30pm to 1:30pm Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Dr. Miyata attended the University of California, Berkeley. He continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with Doctor of Medicine degree in 1962. Dr. Miyata served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He treated wounded soldiers returning from the front lines. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Dr. Miyata began his medical practice in the St. Joseph community in 1973. He retired in 1994 to a life of community involvement and volunteer participation. A man of tremendous heart and dedication to the general welfare of the community, in 1981 he was instrumental in bringing 911 to Berrien County. He served as the first medical director of Hospice services in Berrien County. He also served as President of the Michigan Heart Association. A loving father of three and doting grandfather of four, Dr. Miyata is survived by his daughter Sarah (Stephen Weber) of Chicago, grandchildren Jack, William, Kate; his son Tom of Scottsdale, Arizona; his son John (Tiffany) of Chicago, and his grandson Dylan. Dr. Miyata is also survived by his sister Cecelia Okamoto, sister Marion Sugimura, and brother Herbert Miyata.