February 5, 1929 — March 20, 2024
Paul Hitomi Okamura, 95, born on February 5, 1929, in Boyle Heights, and a long-time resident of Montebello, passed away peacefully at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center on March 20, 2024. A Nisei, his early childhood was in Boyle Heights and his parents operated Toyo Florist & Nursery in Little Tokyo. The Okamura family evacuated from the Sawtelle neighborhood to be incarcerated at Manzanar War Relocation Center during WWII. After the war, his family relocated to Chicago, where he graduated from high school and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, achieving staff sergeant rank, and was in the Berlin Airlift at Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany and the Korean War based out of Ashiya Air Base in Fukuoka, Japan. After his honorable discharge he returned to Chicago, but it wasn’t long before he relocated to East Los Angeles to join his parents and younger sister. Busy raising a family, Paul and Masako supported their three sons’ youth activities and adulthood endeavors. After retiring from the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power as a draftsman for 38 years, the couple were always together. Bringing them the most joy was being with family and relatives.
Paul is predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Masako; his parents, Toshiyuki and Chiharu Okamura; sisters, Grace Hori and Dorothy Shigeoka; and sister-in-law, Yoko Babaoka; and is survived by his children, Michael, Robert (Marie), Steven (Theresa); brother, Toshikazu Okamura; sister, Catherine Ibaraki; sister-in-law, Sadako Fukuzawa; grandchildren, Christian Okamura, Ryan Okamura, Nelson Saravia, Joshua Rose, Michael Rose, Dylan Rose; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Fukui Mortuary’s Chapel in the Garden, and graveside service was at Rose Hills Memorial Park Cherry Blossom Lawn with Rev. Mitchell Young of Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church officiating.
www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441