Passed in his sleep the morning of April 8, 2017. Born in Honolulu on May 4, 1930 to Ichi Kikushige Matsumoto (mother) and Masuji Matsumoto (father), both of whom born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. George graduated from Honolulu's McKinley High School in 1949, enlisted in the U.S. Army in February, 1950, and married Ms. Elaine Suyeko Wakabayashi in July 19, 1950. One month prior to this wedding, the Korean War began with the invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces. George was sent to Atlanta General Depot in Georgia for additional combat and wheeled vehicle operation and maintenance training. By November 1950, George was serving in combat in Korea, earning the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. Returning to Oahu, George eventually worked for Pan Am and later with Japan Airlines as an airline mechanic. Two daughters, Eileen and Darleen Matsumoto were born. The marriage to Ms. Wakabayashi ended in divorce. George met Ms. Fay Langford Gray, through mutual acquaintances in the late 1960s, also recently divorced and visiting Oahu from North Central Texas. Fay and George were finally married in 1982. Meeting on the dance floor, Fay and George began a love-filled life together and built a close circle of dear friends on Oahu, who were regulars at Trappers, the Honolulu Yacht Club, the Elks Club in Waikiki, and Coconut Willie's of the now-gone International Market Place. George and Fay entertained many visiting friends and Texas family, from their apartment at Canal House and later at 2121 Ala Wai. George was also an Aikido expert and waterman, with great skills spearfishing, catching tako, and making his own thrownets. Some of these skills he passed on to some of Fay's grandchildren from Texas, or otherwise scared young Texans with large octopuses he brought out of Hanauma Bay (and gently returning them). Some years after the passing of Fay Matsumoto, George came under the kind and diligent care of Ms. Lydia Tuande at her community care home in Kalihi. This is where George's chapter ends, but his story continues in the lives of the many people he touched. George's life artfully combined Japanese Kaizen and Bushido with Aloha and Lokomaika'i. By doing so, his legacy to us is to do our best, care for others, and enjoy life. We love you, George.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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