Tom Takao Masuda

On Jan. 7th Tom joined Helen, his wife of 68 years in heaven. Hopefully she recognized him with his new beard! Born in MacIntosh, WA, his family farmed in the Northwest until their internment to Tule Lake during WWII. In ’46, the Masudas resettled in San Jose to farm berries. He later met and married Helen and was quickly drafted for the Korean War where he served in the MIS in Korea. Upon his return, they raised strawberries in Coyote until their move to San Jose where Tom worked as asst. mgr for a propane company.

He lovingly raised four daughters, Jan Cougill (Stevedec.), Julie Katai (Mike), Robin, Tricia and was “gpa” to Katie and Jarrett. His life was filled with church and community activities. A fixture at the Wesley church and Yu Ai Kai mochi-tsukis, enjoyed being Santa for the VFW, active with the CYS, JACL, South Side Fishing Club and relished in his passions of fishing, Giants, 49’ers, traveling, cooking and family.

He will be missed by his two sisters, Chiyo Katayama and Masako Taketa and leaves behind many relatives and friends whose lives were richer because he was in it. No services will be held. A tribute video is on you tubesearch “Tom Takao Masuda”.