Thomas “Tom” Makoto Myose, born in Los Angeles, California in August 1950, passed away peacefully in Michigan in October 2024.
Thomas was the beloved son of Isamu Myose and Rose Hisae Myose, who met in a Japanese American internment camp. He was the devoted father of Tiffani Myose and was formerly married to Madelyn Palmieri, who alongside Tiffani lovingly cared for him through hospice.
Thomas proudly served in the United States Navy as part of the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) and later as a Navy SEAL. During his service, he traveled the world and endured the hardship of being held as a prisoner of war.
He loved martial arts, classical and jazz music, history, movies, language learning, reading, and playing guitar. A skilled carpenter and lifelong jokester, Thomas made friends everywhere he went and was known for his kindness, honesty, intelligence, and strong moral compass. He often laughed while telling stories about Bruce Lee visiting his karate school and using him for practice — joking that it was the fastest he had ever been put on the floor.
Thomas loved playing backgammon and arcade games and had proudly passed the Mensa International qualifying test. He made the best pancakes and loved flipping them high into the air. He could juggle, use nunchucks, and even dance the waltz — always bringing humor, charm, and energy wherever he went. He loved fishing with his daughter and spending time together building woodworking projects by hand.
The world lost someone truly dynamic in Thomas, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.