Tosh KIRIHARA

Tosh Kirihara passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024, of natural causes, with family at his bedside. Tosh was born on September 1, 1922, in Auburn, Washington, to Yoneichi (Frank) Kirihara and Asano Fujiwara. He spent his early years in school and working on farms and sawmills. After the U.S. entered World War II, he and his family were incarcerated at the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho. He entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and from 1945 to 1946 served as an interpreter in the 519th MP Battalion during the American occupation of Japan. Returning to the U.S. he settled in Spokane where he met his future wife, Amy (nee Kawakami). They married in 1949 and raised three children in Spokane where Tosh took classes in vehicle repair and worked as a mechanic at several places before retiring from his last job with Spokane County in 1985.

Tosh and Amy moved to Spokane Valley in 1978 and after retirement enjoyed a long and active life travelling the American West and Canada, golfing, fishing, and visiting relatives. They were also active in the Spokane Buddhist Church. Tosh spent much of his later years golfing, following the Mariners on TV, and raising vegetables in his yard. He moved to Seattle in 2022 to live with his daughter Jean.

Tosh was preceded in death by Amy in 2006. He is survived by his children, Leslie, Donald (Denise Kervin), and Jean; grandchild, Caitlin (David Painter); and great-grandchild, West (Painter). Tosh is also survived by his brothers, Jimmy (Ann), and Michael (Junko); his sister, Hollie; and many nephews, nieces, and their families.

The family wishes to thank Heart of Bellevue AFH for their compassion and professionalism during Tosh's final months. At Tosh's request, no services will be held. Please no flowers and no memorials. Tosh will be interred with Amy at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane.