TADA, ESAO, 88, a loving husband, father, mentor to many and friend to all, entered the loving presence of his Savior Jesus on December 19, 2010. It was fitting his homegoing to heaven occurred during the very hour he would have been getting ready for church.

Esao was born in Gooding, Idaho, where he spent his childhood.

He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration. He moved to San Francisco, where he met and married his bride of 51 years, Cheryl. He worked for Mitsubishi International Corporation in San Francisco as manager of the General Division until his retirement in 1985.

Esao’s retirement years kept him very busy: gardening, raising bonsai, serving as president of the San Francisco Nikkei Lion’s Club, house remodeling projects, Shaklee entrepreneur, teaching with his family at Shiloh Bible College, and being an avid student of the Bible.

A lifelong dream was fulfilled with a pilgrimage to Israel to celebrate his and Cheryl’s 50th anniversary on Nov. 1, 2009.

It has been said a man’s life can be gauged by how he impacts those around him. Esao’s many friends and family members remarked how he lived a life of integrity, honesty and an admirable work ethic. He was a God-honoring husband and father to his family, and loved to share the love of Christ with people.

Carrying on his legacy are his wife, Cheryl; son, Brian; nieces Martha Ann Matushima, Alice Gutknecht and her family, and relatives in the U.S. and Japan.

Viewing will be on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, 4 to 8 p.m. at Mt. Tamalpais Mortuary and Cemetery, 2500 5th Ave., San Rafael. Homegoing service will be on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Church, 3295 School St., Oakland.

In loving memory of Esao, donations may be sent directly to either The Jerusalem Prayer Team, P.O. Box 30000, Phoenix, AZ 85046 or Sid Roth’s “It’s Supernatural and Messianic Vision,” P.O. Box 1918, Brunswick, GA 31521.