March 7, 1925 – November 25, 2025
Teruko “Terri” Tamaru, 100, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, in Cypress, California, from natural causes.
She was born on March 7, 1925, in Fresno, California, the 2nd youngest among three brothers, Masato, Hideo, and Katsumi. Her parents, Masaru and Kinuyo (Shimonishi) Hokoda, sent Terri and her brothers to Hiroshima, Japan when Terri was three. When Terri was six, the four returned to Los Angeles.
Terri’s early years were shaped by strong family ties and extraordinary moments in history. She attended Vine Street Elementary and Bancroft Middle School and was enrolled at Hollywood High School when World War II was declared. Terri and her family were sent to the Gila River internment camp in Arizona following Executive Order 9066. While there, she graduated from Canal High School, later recalling that time with humor, saying, “Good thing we left — I was a rebel there.”
After the war, Terri moved with her family to Dayton, Ohio, where she continued her education. She later relocated to New York City to pursue a career in fashion design. Terri returned to California, where her brothers returned from the Army, and the family reunited after years of separation.
In August 1949, Terri was selected as the first post-war Nisei Week Queen, a time of rebuilding for the Japanese American community of Los Angeles and memories she cherished her entire life.
She married Takuji ‘Tug’ Tamaru on August 10, 1952, and worked for the City of Los Angeles in the Recruitment Department. In 1956, she devoted herself to raising her family, the role she cherished most.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tug and is survived by her sons Ronald (Colleen), Stuart (Suzanne), Michael (Lillian), and Kurt (Veronica); grandchildren Jeffrey (Jayme), Frankie, Kyle, Kurt Jr; and great-grandchildren Tyler and Levi. Terri will be remembered for her resilience, warmth, gentle humor, and deep devotion to her family. Her life reflected quiet strength, grace, and an enduring love for those around her. A private burial and reception was held by the family on 1/2/26.