Baba told Jiji - He shall be named Ta-ke-o, Bamboo Child, for bamboo is strong, resilient, firm, but bending, with an innate strength, entwined with beauty...And so began the life of our father, Thomas Takeo Tsuha, January 11, 1931, Kahalu'u, Oahu, Hawaii. Vibrant is thy force, yet gentle is thy soul, and gales of a hundred high-tailed winds can't muster enough to show...how beautiful you are to us...Dad was a gentle man with great presence, sprinkling love dust upon mom and family since the beginning of time...Upon the earth you sow thy love with hands of tender care...and budding blossoms sing their songs of patience that you bear...Waiahole School and our Kahalu'u home were Dad's gardens. His homegrown red gingers decorated many sites at Hawaiian Memorial. 33 years of teaching encharged all to "Malama the 'aina," to plant for the next generation. The Kids Care Campus Beautification projects were an inspiration to his students. 50 years served with the Kahalu'u Lions Club..."An original charter member," he would proudly say. "WE SERVE" was emblazoned in his heart and etched with reverence towards his Lions Club's Brothers and Sisters. Dad further served in the Korean War, as a Personal Assistant to the late Major General Leslie Dilon Carter, who said that "Sergeant Thomas Tsuha has shown unusual diligence, attention to duty, dependability, integrity, and intelligent initiative." The truce was signed between the Communist North and South Korea in Korea, 1953, a memory Dad re-lived with military pride. From white-capped Colorado (graduate of Univ. of Northern Colorado), to the lands of Kahalu'u (his home forever), you gave your heart to those you've touched and now we reach to you - Dear Dad, shine on! You light up our paths in your very own special way. You've given us the courage to be like you some day. Thomas gracefully ascended on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane (Takehara) Tsuha. Children: Stephanie (Dr. William) Lum; Dale (Felipe) Sales; Rosten (Denise) Tsuha; Donna (Shane) Miura. Sister: Mabel Yonamine. Grandchildren: Rosten (Claire) Tsuha; Dr. Michaela Tsuha; Marcus (Jenna) Lum; Kristen Lum; Thomas and Kaitlyn Miura. Celebration of Life on Sat., January 21, 2023. Hosoi Mortuary, masks required. Visitation 4:00 pm, Service 5:00 pm, followed by Fellowship. The family requests no funeral wreaths; however, tropical arrangements or lei are welcome.
Arrangements Provided By:
Hosoi Garden Mortuary
