Akira Arthur Tamayose

Akira Arthur Tamayose was born to Kyuji and Tsuru Tamayose on February 16, 1934 in Hardieville, Alberta. He was married to Naoko (Shima) for 62 years. Their family includes five children: Darcy (Keith), Tracy, Ward (Bruna), Blake (Jodi), and Natalie (Matt); nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His siblings are Kim (Chug) Oshiro, Ev (Mas) Nishima, Tony (Kim) Tamayose, and Georgine (Casey) Van Paassen; and he was predeceased by Baby Tamayose, Teruko, Toshiko, and Walter. Numerous nieces and nephews were also a significant part of his life. Sadly, he passed away on September 14, 2021 at the age of 87 years.

Art farmed in the Picture Butte and Coaldale areas working in the field from an early age. In 1955, he moved to Lethbridge working at various trades and odd jobs until eventually apprenticing and earning his certificate as journeyman electrician. After twenty-five years in the electrical trade, he semi-retired remodelling old houses (the most derelict he could find)—eventually honing his skill as a jack-of-all-trades.

For all his life sports were a passion. On snowy winter days he was known to head out to Henderson Lake and carve out a section of ice for the kids to skate on, and throughout the 70s converted the garden at the northside house into a backyard rink. From the 80s onward he was such an avid golf fan that we’d thought for a while there he had an adopted son named Tiger Woods. At one time he even dedicated a room in the basement to a full-swing indoor driving range complete with tarps, assorted clubs, and buckets of balls. Grandpa followed his grandkids’ sports endeavours throughout the years—with this came road trips, being a fixture at local ball diamonds, and enjoying the community of sports families and friends.

Husband. Dad. Grandpa. Brother. Uncle. Friend. And someone to shoot the breeze with.

We miss you and honour you always in memory.

We extend our appreciation to Reverend Izumi, Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, local health care providers, and the wonderful second family at the Garden View Lodge. In addition, we are grateful to family and friends for reaching out with kindnesses from near and far. A Celebration of Life is planned for Art in the spring of 2022.

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