Takeshi (Tak) Okamura

Takeshi “Tak” Okamura, beloved husband of Michiko Janet Okamura, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on February 26, 2024, at the age of 87 years. He was the loving father of Kelly Okamura of Toronto and grandfather to her children Calandra and Raiden Hudson; and Jim Okamura and Wendy Sokoluk and their son, Taro Okamura, all of Chicago, Illinois.

He is also survived by his brothers, Mas Okamura (Ruby), Dave Okamura (Wanda) and sister Jane Tanaka (Keith). He was predeceased by father and mother Masaru and Fujiko Okamura (nee Hisaoka); his brothers Hiroshi Okamura (Sets), Ken Okamura (Evelyn) and Violet Morris (Jim).

Takeshi was born in Mission B.C., on April 8, 1936. He lived in Mission until the family was evacuated to Alberta in 1942. He completed high school in 1953 from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, before going to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, graduating in 1955 in Building Construction & Architectural Drafting. Inspired by his Uncle Ken Hisaoka, who urged him to go to university, he attended the University of Alberta. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, paving the way for his siblings who would pursue their own university educations.

Tak had a long and successful career in Southern Alberta as a proud Alberta Land Surveyor. The last 25 years he was the President and General Manager of Brown, Okamura and Associates Ltd., retiring in 1993. He built many relationships through Engineering and Land Surveyor organizations across the province and Lethbridge based service clubs like the Gyro Club of Lethbridge. Tak was a natural leader, and any organization he believed in benefited from his people skills and generosity.

Takeshi married Michiko Janet Kariatsumari on August 1, 1961. Together, they built their dream home in Lethbridge where they lived for 61 years. They traveled extensively visiting every province and territory in Canada. They enjoyed their retirement years traveling internationally, stayed active golfing, curling and playing cards with friends.

The funeral service will be held at the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, on Saturday, March 2nd at 11:00 am, 470 - 40th Street South, Lethbridge, AB. Meet the Family receiving line will begin at 10:00 am. Reverend Roland Ikuta Sensei will be officiating.

The family requests no flowers or koden. Donations can be made in Tak Okamura’s memory to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta (www.thebtsa.com), where Tak was an active member for many years.

Live stream will be available and can be accessed by clicking the link that will appear below this obituary on the day of the service.

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