Age 93, died December 13, 2018 at home in Los Angeles. He was born June 29, 1925 in Ola'a, Hawai'i. He attended Hilo High School, University of Hawai'i and Elmhurst College with Sociology degree. He served in the Army as intelligence service translator. His hobbies included raising prize roses, ikebana, yoga, tai chi, world traveling, running marathons and 2 Doberman Pinschers. His career as a character actor saw him on stage: "The World of Susie Wong", "Flower Drum Song", etc.; in movies: "Girl Named Tamiko", "American Samurai" (1992), "Midway", "Mortal Kombat", etc.; in TV series: "Hawaii Five-O", "Magnum P.I.", "Six Million Dollar Man", etc.; in TV commercials: "IBM with monks", "Coca Cola during Super Bowl", etc. He is predeceased by 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and life partner Gerald "Jerry" Lentes. He is survived by sister, Miyoko "Miyo" "Mickey" (Terumi) Sato; care-givers: grand niece, Liana Wickstrom and niece, Jerolyn "Jeri" (Tim Kreger) Fujioka-Wickstrom; by nieces and nephews: Penny Lou (Ron) Mau, Charlotte Yamada, Dan Yamada, Leilani Okaneku, Iwalani Sato, Jim Sato, Muriel (David) Shimada, Terence Fujioka, and Ricky (Sandra) Fujioka; 7 grand nieces and nephews and 3 great-grand nieces and nephews. A Celebration of his Life was held at his home and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Age 93, died December 13, 2018 at home in Los Angeles. He was born June 29, 1925 in Ola'a, Hawai'i. He attended Hilo High School, University of Hawai'i and Elmhurst College with Sociology degree. He served in the Army as intelligence service translator. His hobbies included raising prize roses, ikebana, yoga, tai chi, world traveling, running marathons and 2 Doberman Pinschers. His career as a character actor saw him on stage: "The World of Susie Wong", "Flower Drum Song", etc.; in movies: "Girl Named Tamiko", "American Samurai" (1992), "Midway", "Mortal Kombat", etc.; in TV series: "Hawaii Five-O", "Magnum P.I.", "Six Million Dollar Man", etc.; in TV commercials: "IBM with monks", "Coca Cola during Super Bowl", etc. He is predeceased by 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and life partner Gerald "Jerry" Lentes. He is survived by sister, Miyoko "Miyo" "Mickey" (Terumi) Sato; care-givers: grand niece, Liana Wickstrom and niece, Jerolyn "Jeri" (Tim Kreger) Fujioka-Wickstrom; by nieces and nephews: Penny Lou (Ron) Mau, Charlotte Yamada, Dan Yamada, Leilani Okaneku, Iwalani Sato, Jim Sato, Muriel (David) Shimada, Terence Fujioka, and Ricky (Sandra) Fujioka; 7 grand nieces and nephews and 3 great-grand nieces and nephews. A Celebration of his Life was held at his home and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
