1945–2026
A funeral service celebrating the life of Kyoko Nancy Oda, 80, of Van Nuys, will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 815 E. First St., Los Angeles. She passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, just five days before her 81st birthday.
Kyoko Nancy Oda was born in Tule Lake on May 20, 1945, at a time in history her father, Tatsuo Inouye, marked with quiet but profound intention. On her birth document, he wrote: “The World War has no end in sight and no time is more crucial than today for the Nation and the Family to be united as One and cooperate in harmony. Therefore, I give this baby the name ‘Kyoko.'” Tatsuo gave his daughter a lifelong calling as Kyoko means child of harmony/cooperation.
She graduated from her dream school UCLA and was a beloved teacher at Riverside Drive and Canterbury elementary schools before becoming an assistant principal at Haddon Elementary School. She then became the principal at Hubbard Elementary School and ended her 32-year career by founding Maurice Sendak (“Where the Wild Things Are”) Elementary School. Kyoko was driven by her dream that true education encompasses the whole child. Patiently, Kyoko cultivated an environment where students could grow through music, the arts, and athletics, convinced that this holistic approach was the key to unlocking each child’s potential. She brought musical instruments, teachers and working artists to make that dream come true.
Starting at UCLA, Kyoko life’s work was bringing her father’s wartime “Tule Lake Stockade Diary” to life. Her father wrote about the injustice and human cost at Tule Lake, even on little cigarette papers. Doshisha University in Kyoto translated the wartime diary, ensuring future generations would hear the voice of a thoughtful, moral and disciplined judo master.
She always supported the San Fernando Japanese American Community Center, including being president from 2011 to 2013. She mobilized the very large disaster relief fundraising effort for the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Kyoko was heavily involved in many organizations including Valley Japanese Community Center, Tule Lake Pilgrimage, Tuna Canyon Detention Center Coalition, WWII Camp Wall, ABC School District Day of Remembrance, Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American National Museum.
Her remarkable contributions to harmony were recognized by Japan’s Emperor in 2020 with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, honoring her distinguished service to Japanese American society and her role in harmonizing ties between Japan and the United States. She was also named Japanese Women’s Society Woman of the Year, 2009 Los Angeles City Pioneer Woman of the Year, 2016 California Assembly and 2018 City of Los Angeles recognition for Tuna Canyon Detention Center, 2023 Nisei Week Pioneer Spirit Award, and 2024 California Senate AAPI Community Champion.
Kyoko was predeceased by her parents, Tatsuo and Yuriko Lili Inouye; her sisters, Frances Sayuri Takeda, Ernie Jane Masako Nishii; and her beloved son, Daron Oda.
Kyoko is survived by her devoted husband, Kay Oda; her son, Jon Oda, and his wife, Monique; her daughter-in-law, Yvonne Oda; and her grandchildren, Alexander, Arielle, Devon, and Kyle. She is lovingly remembered by her family, community, students, and many friends, who will carry her message and spirit of harmony forward.
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