Takuji ‘Tug’ Tamaru

Takuji ‘Tug’ Tamaru passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the age of 89. Tug was born in Brawley CA where he enjoyed his early childhood years helping his parents in the family’s general store and attending Brawley Union High School where as a ‘Wildcat’, he ran track and played golf. During WWII, the Tamaru family was relocated to Poston AZ where Tug continued his love for music and played saxophone for the camp band ‘The Music Makers’. He served in the US Army from 1944-1947 and as a Lieutenant, was assigned to the 8th Army Occupation Force, 555th Military Police Battalion, Sugamo Prison, Japan. After returning from service, he received his BS in Business Administration from Cal Berkley and his MBA from USC. In 1949, Tug joined the City of Los Angeles where he rose to the position of General Manager, Data Service Bureau, becoming the first Japanese-American department head with the city. Under his leadership, he brought information technology early to the city and forever changed the manner in which Los Angeles and other local government municipalities managed information. He met with city leaders in Japan and Europe, becoming the ‘Ambassador from LA of data processing’, sharing knowledge abroad to help meet the world’s increasing need for information. He retired after 28 yrs of public service. Tug enjoyed family time and being a part of his sons’ lives and activities—vacationing, fishing, Indian Guides—having fun, laughing, telling stories, mentoring, advising, and leading by example. He was always there for each of us. The best Husband, Grandpa, Dad and Friend anyone could wish for. Dad, you’ll be with us forever and we love you! Tug is survived by his wife Terri of 58 years and four sons: Ronald (Colleen), Stuart (Suzanne), Mike (Lillian), Kurt (Veronica) and grandchildren: Jeffrey, Kellsey, Kyle, and Kurt Jr. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Sky Rose Chapel, Rose Hills Memorial Park 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 888-255-6097. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 South Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013 and The American Heart Association, www.heart.org