OBITUARY: Takaaki “Tak” Saruwatari

Takaaki “Tak” Saruwatari

Sept. 3, 1922 – Jan. 9, 2022

SARUWATARI, TAKAAKI, 99, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife Tsuyako, daughter Sachiko, and grandsons Christopher & Terry. He is survived by his son Toshiaki (wife, Kazuko), daughter Kazue (husband, Tony), and granddaughters Lan, Jennifer, Allison, & Kayla. He is the cherished great-grandfather of Ezekiel, Miles, Luna, Sol, Alakai, and Aki.

A Sacramento native, Tak was born on September 3, 1922 to parents Takashi and Tamaki Saruwatari. He attended Lincoln School and Sacramento High School before finishing his education at a high school in Japan. Tak recalled fondly his time in Taiwan and Japan, later working as a translator for the US Army’s CIC Counterintelligence Corp from 1945 to 1956. After marrying and having children in Kokura, Tak returned to Sacramento with his family, where he worked as a gardener and served as president of the Japanese-American Gardeners Association. Both kind and gentle, Tak retired to care for his grandchildren. He led an active and vibrant life, enjoying shigin, karaoke, Kumamoto Kenjin Kai, Tanoshimi Kai lunches, and time with the family. Tak’s indelibly happy spirit will be truly missed by all who knew him.

A service is pending. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Buddhist Church of Sacramento.