JOSEPH ICHIRO MURATSUCHI

96, passed away on April 29, 2018. Born on May 17, 1921 on a farm in Kimberly, Idaho, Joe graduated from Twin Falls High School in Idaho with the class of ’38, then moved with his family to his parents’ home town in Gifu, Japan. Joe experienced WWII from the "other" side, but after the war, served proudly as an American civilian working for the U.S. Army and Air Force first as an interpreter, then as a military historian. After retirement at age 67, Joe volunteered with the Japanese Cultural Center, researched rescued Japanese fishermen such as Manjiro and Joseph Heco, served as president of the Gifu Kenjin Kai and Aichi Kenjin Kai, learned to play taisho koto and helped with the group’s sound system, made frames for his wife’s paintings, etc. He also enjoyed traveling to many places around the world with his wife. Joe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Machiko, daughter Irene Sadoyama (Wayne), and brother Jiro (Nobuko). His son James (Peggy Jo) and sister Fumiko Upshaw preceded him in death. Joe loved his 5 grandchildren; Jared and Jordan Muratsuchi and Micah, Jonathan and Misa Sadoyama, and 6 great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary from 5pm, with Visitation from 4 – 5pm.

Arrangements Provided By:

Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary