Yoshiro “Roy” Yunouye

Yoshiro “Roy” Yunouye
03/29/1939 – 01/06/2021

A man of servitude and faith, Yoshiro “Roy” Yunouye passed from COVID-19 from this life into eternity with Jesus Christ on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Roy was born to Tadaye and Jimmy Yunouye in Sacramento, CA on March 29, 1939. He was raised in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan by his mother, who also took care of his paternal grandmother.

After high school, Roy returned to the U.S. to help his father with the gardening business in Culver City, CA. Roy accepted Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade, which changed the path of his life.

He met his wife, Ryoko through letters arranged by their families. They were pen pals who married on October 16, 1965. In 1972, they moved to Kobe, Japan where Roy attended seminary. In 1975, they were blessed with their first-born son, Paul. Roy graduated in 1978 and moved to the U.S. to serve as the Japanese pastor for Glendale Free Methodist for one year then to the Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church for eight years.

In Arizona, Roy and Ryoko were blessed with their second son, John in 1982. Roy finished his pastoral career at Glendale Japanese Free Methodist Church from 1988-1993. He then taught Japanese in San Fernando and transitioned into working as a social worker for Keiro for over ten years.

He retired at the ripe age of 70. Roy was resourceful, creative and passionate about Christ. He enjoyed the simple things in life such as time with his family, food, sharing the good news, reading and naps.

Roy is survived by his wife, Ryoko, youngest son, John, and two beautiful granddaughters from his late son, Paul, Ena (13) and Emi (11).

A graveside service will be held at Inglewood Park Cemetery on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11 a.m.