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Ron Mamiya Obituary
1949 ~ 2019
At the age of 70, Ron Mamiya died from cancer on May 26, 2019, surrounded by his family. He stayed strong, hopeful, and positive throughout his battle with prostate cancer, even up until the last days.
Born in 1949 to Yoshi and George Mamiya, Ron was the eldest of 3 sons. He was born and raised in Seattle. Ron grew up on Beacon Hill, attended Franklin High School, University of Washington, and Gonzaga University, where he earned his law degree in 1976. Ron went into private practice in Seattle and was appointed as a Municipal Court Judge in 1980. He served as a judge until his retirement in 2010. He also served on several appointed commissions for 20+ years in Seattle.
Ron was passionate about his community and worked hard to make it better. His legacy will live on by all the ways he improved the community: participating in the National Council for Japanese Americans Redress in 1988; becoming an expert in the issue of language translation in court and has written "Selected Cases on Legal Interpreting" for the American Bar Association. Ron is a former delegate to Japan for the Japanese American Leadership Delegate Program, and served as a member of the Court Interpreter Commission. Ron also participated in the development of the Community Court Program, implemented in 2005. He was passionate about this program as a way to keep repeat offenders of non-violent petty crimes out of jail, and focused on alternate ways for offenders to clean up the city and serve the community. This was a proven program, which resulted in less repeaters. It has been widely implemented in various courts.
Ron had many passions in life, including golfing, fishing, Tengu Fishing Club, football (both watching and coaching at Roosevelt High School), his dogs, eating delicious food, organizing countless events in the Japanese-American community, and spending time with his friends and family in Seattle and Whidbey Island. Ron cared so greatly for his family, friends, and his community.
Ron is survived by his mother, Yoshi Mamiya; his brothers, Guy and Rick Mamiya; sister-in-law, Linda Mamiya; his sons Matt Mamiya, Tyler Mamiya; daughter-in-laws,Lucy Mamiya
and Molly Mamiya; and his beloved granddaughter, Isabella. He is also survived by his former wife, Melanie Schafer, the mother of his children.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating his life at
Seattle Buddhist Church
1427 S. Main Seattle, WA 98144,
at 1 pm on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
Sign Ron's online
Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ron Mamiya
Sponsored by The Family.
Nowell DiCarlo
May 27, 2024
I think about Ron all the time. He is missed more than he will have ever known.
Nowell DiCarlo
May 29, 2022
My dearest friend, Ron. You are missed so very much. I will never forget you, your kindness and our friendship. You remain forever in my thoughts and heart.
tony volchok
May 29, 2020
Missing you Ron
Victoria Vreeland
June 12, 2019
I met Ron in our first year of law school at Gonzaga in 1972. There were only a handful of women and people of color, and we helped each other out. Ron and Mel were fun and friendly, and we were so so young. But we studied hard, and made it through. He was a strong and passionate leader and judge. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Julia Sewell
June 8, 2019
Our family had the pleasure of knowing Ron for just three short years as our neighbor on Whidbey Island. Soon Ron was more than a neighbor. He was our friend, then an honory member of our family,a mentor to my three teen boys, especially my youngest.
Ron gave his time and acknowledgment. He brightened cloudy days, and put a spin on sunny ones, always with a drop of humor. A true friend bearing the gift of acceptance and support, of noticing.
Ron, our family will truly miss you. There is an emptiness on Bercot. I will forever think of ducks as butt wrigglers, and always remember Ron the man.
Julian Cook
June 8, 2019
Ron was a mentor and a friend.
He was always there, and his presence filled your soul with a fulfilling warmth.
I hope I can emulate his kind loving and sincere personality. I am so lucky for him to have been a part of my life. Ron has taught me to be a better person.
Rest In Peace Ron
Julian
Tony Volchok
June 7, 2019
Dear Mamiya Family,
First of all im sorry I am not able to attend the services for Ron. I was sad to hear of Rons' illness . He was quite the man. Im glad and blessed to have known him for so many years , thru Mercer , Franklin and the choir. Thank you for sharing him. My prayers go out to all of you. He will be missed.
June 7, 2019
Mamiya family,
Ron was a former Boy Scout of mine in Troop 252 at the Seattle Buddhist Church and he achieved the Rank of Life Scout. He was a true Scouter and shared his love of scouting with many of his troop members. RIP Ron.
Gasho,
Bob Kurimoto
Scoutmaster Troop 252
Yvette Carter
June 7, 2019
I worked with judge Ron Mamiya for many years and He was always very pleasant, kind and a joy to work for. I was very sad to hear that he had passed away, my payers go out to his family.
June 4, 2019
Ron was a dear friend. We laughed, we cried and made some fantastic memories. He helped me through my most difficult days and was there to share some of the happiest. I will never forget his loving, caring heart. I will never forget him.
Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget. falls drop by drop upon the heart. until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
Rest in peace, my dearest friend. Thoughts and prayers to all Ron's family.
Nowell DiCarlo
June 3, 2019
Rest Peace Ron,
Thank you for so many memories as a teammate on the Rainier and Franklin football team and as a life long friend.
Bob Masin
June 3, 2019
Ron was a huge part of my high school and college memories and we were great buddies! We
had so many wonderful experiences together that I will never forget. Some I would love to share and some I better not! Even though Ron is no longer with us he will always be a part of my life.
I will forever have a special place in my heart to remember how lucky I was to have such a good and true friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
June 3, 2019
Dear Mamiya Family,
I have such fond menories of Ron coaching at Meadowbrook Community Center. He was a true joy to work with. He was always thinking of what was best for the youth he coached. A reliable volunteer you could always count on to set a positive example for the youth he coached. I deeply appreciate the volunteer time he contributed to the Center and community. A true public servant who's dedicated work made our City a better place to live. I am saddened to hear of Ron's passing. My sincere condolences.
Dave Gilbertson, Ret. Seatttle Parks and Recreation
Carlos delos Santos
June 3, 2019
RIP, Ron.
Geri Alhadeff
June 3, 2019
Such a wonderful guy. He had a really warm, honest heart. He will always be remembered as one sweet man - one of the good ones.
June 3, 2019
Dear Matt, Tyler and the Mamiya family,
We were so saddened to hear of Ron's passing. We have fond memories of him volunteering at Meadowbrook Community Center, and later of him officiating at our wedding 20 years ago. I'll never forget him 'training' us to place our wedding rings on each other's fingers in a smooth, effortless way - who would have thought this act was bumbled so often! He was a kind, thoughtful, caring, and funny man, and will be missed. Our condolences to you and your family. Melanie & Aaron Ridenour
betty Halfon
June 2, 2019
Beautiful soul. You will be so missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
steve okamura
June 2, 2019
Ron,
Thank you for all the great memories we shared together. You will be missed by so many people who's lives you touched in such a positive way. Rest in peace my friend.
Steve
Roger Shimizu
June 2, 2019
Rest in Peace
Sarah Sanford
June 2, 2019
Such a cherished friend and stalwart supporter of original and social justice. Hard to imagine a world without him but so very easy to remember all he gave to his friends and the world. His legacy stands secure. Our broken hearts are grieving unrelentingly. RIP my friend. I hope you and Toby are having a great time.
Frank Raines
June 2, 2019
I am so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. We shared many experiences on the football team and in the choir. My condolences to his family and friends.
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