Judge Takao was born on October 3, 1923 to Banichi and Kame (Onzuka) Takao in Honolulu, Hawaii. He died peacefully in his sleep on June 6, 2022.Of his immediate family, he is survived by his wife of 73 years, the love of his life, Elsie Masako (Tomoyasu) Takao, son Eric K. and daughter-in-law Jadean, daughter Leslie J. and son-in-law David, son Sherman M. and daughter-in-law Lori, and his two beloved grandchildren Nathaniel and Spencer.
He proudly served in the 442 Regiment in the Military Intelligence Division in World War II, and earned a Presidential Unit Citation and a Congressional Gold Medal. When he returned from the war he went back to school at the University of Hawaii and went on to earn a law degree from George Washington University School of Law. In his law career he was a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Hawaii, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. In private practice he was an associate in the office of Marumoto and Marumoto. He has served Hawaii as Chief of Staff (Administrative Assistant) to two Lt. Governors: William S. Richardson and Andrew T. F. Ing. He went on to become a District Judge in the First Circuit State of Hawaii and Administrative District Judge in the First Circuit, State of Hawaii. He was further honored to serve as a Judge in the Circuit Court of the First District for the State of Hawaii, where he presided until his retirement.
He loved to golf and travel and spent many happy times doing just that.
We miss him dearly.
Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary
