Our beloved mother, Tomiko Raymond, passed away peacefully at her home in Honolulu on January 18, 2023. She was 89 years old, just one week away from her 90th birthday. She is survived by her 3 sons - James, Eugene, and Frank Raymond, her sister Kazuko Ohta, her niece Geri Ohta and nephew Herb Ohta Jr. Tomiko Sato was born on January 24th 1933 and was raised in Kumamoto, Japan. She was the eldest daughter of Kuraichi and Takiyo Sato. Her father worked for the railroad and he became a widower at the age of 34. He raised his two daughters with the help of his sister. Tomiko survived the Allied bombings of WWII as a young child. She recounted stories of seeing "beautiful fireworks" in the sky and then hiding in a cellar in the backyard until the bombing ended. Tomiko worked several jobs after graduating from high school and was introduced to Carl Raymond, a sergeant in the USAF, by a mutual friend in 1956.
Tomiko and Carl were married in a traditional Japanese ceremony in Japan in 1957. Her eldest son, James, was born at Ashiya AFB, Japan in 1958. Eugene was born the next year in Portland, ME. Frank was born in 1960 in Rapid City, SD. The family returned to Misawa AFB, Japan in 1961 and remained there until 1967. Tomiko cared for her 3 sons alone in Rome, NY while her husband was stationed in Vietnam. After Carl returned home from Vietnam the family moved to Hickam AFB from 1968 - 1973. The family moved again to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD from 1973 - 1976.
Tomiko's husband Carl passed away unexpectedly in December of 1976. She then decided to return to Oahu to be near her sister, Kazuko. She remained in Honolulu all these years. Tomiko was a certified instructor in Japanese flower arrangement. She worked for a number of years as the breakfast and lunch manager for Maiko Shimizu. Tomiko was funny, smart, and had a very quick wit. She was a selfless mother and was completely devoted to her 3 sons. Tomiko was always kind to strangers and everywhere she went doors seemed to open because people recognized her genuine affection for them and her joy for life.
Tomiko leaves behind her eldest son James, his wife Susan, and their daughter Austin and son Robbie. She also leaves her son Eugene, his wife Kathy, and their daughters Lindsey and Faith and sons Allen and Jonathan. Frank, the youngest son, cared for Tomiko for the past 10 years as she gradually succumbed to terminal liver disease. Tomiko wished for her remains to be cremated and then buried next to her husband, Carl, at Mountain View Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington. The family plans to hold an intimate ceremony sometime in early July. Although Tomiko's physical presence will be sorely missed, her loving spirit will remain with us all.
Arrangements Provided By:
Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
