OBITUARY: Roy Naoto Muramoto

MURAMOTO, ROY NAOTO, was born March 31, 1925 and died December 17, 2011.

Born in Oakland, he passed peacefully in San Leandro. One of ten children, he is survived by Barbara, his wife of 58 years; five children: Shirley (Bob), Pat (Allen), Gary, Greg (Doreen) and Linda (Steve); six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Roy was raised in Japan and excelled in math. He worked many jobs, including Highland Hospital and Hertz Car Rental, to support his family. Roy was active in the Japanese American community in the Bay Area. In the 1950s, he was a familiar figure for Japanese American families, driving his big black panel truck, and delivering Japanese foods, one of the few ways people could purchase Japanese foods in those days. He was active on the first committee to start the annual SF Cherry Blossom Festival in the 1960s; and was extremely supportive of the Barbara Kazuko Muramoto koto studio. A good-looking man, even into his 80s, Roy was always impeccably dressed, never wore jeans or t-shirts. He had a strong love of music, including Japanese “enka,” classical violin music (especially David Oistrakh) and the music and dance of the tango. He was a very fine dancer himself. Roy also enjoyed world travel. He loved his family, attended as many performances and events of his many children and grandchildren as he could. He was a very friendly and outgoing person, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. As Roy was an avid reader, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Friends of the Asian Library (Oakland), 388 Ninth Street Suite 190, Oakland, CA 94607. (510) 238-3400; FEIN 94 -2771680