Satoru (Sugar) Tamura 1923-2016
Satoru (Sugar) Tamura passed away on January 14, 2016. Sugar was born in Lodi on September 24, 1923, to Rinkichi and Kiyo Tamura, and resided in Lodi until he and his family were interned at Rowher, Arkansas in 1942. While interned in Rowher, Arkansas, he was drafted to serve in the Army during World War II. By the time he reached Germany, the war ended. He left Rowher in April of 1943, and farmed in Colorado for a short time. He eventually returned to Lodi to resume his passion for farming with his parents and brothers, Shigeo and John. In 1950, he married Ethel Tsutsumi, and they enjoyed 61 wonderful years of marriage.
In 1984, his nephew, Joey, returned back to Lodi to join the Tamura farming operation; and Joey soon became Sugar's right arm and "Best Friend." Up until the day of his passing, Sugar sincerely looked forward to visiting Joey every morning to discuss what was taking place on the farm each day.
Sugar was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel; brothers, Shiego and John; and sister, Mary Matsuoka. He is survived by his two daughter, Libby (Kent) Iwamura, and Linda (Alan) Nakashima; grandchildren, Kendra (Mike) Gee; Lindsay (Brandon) Souza; Keenan (Stephanie) Iwamura; and Lauren Nakashima; and great grandchildren, Kaleb and Kelsie Gee; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends meant the world to Sugar; and he especially enjoyed and appreciated everyone's visits over the past few years after Ethel's passing.
Sugar was known to all as a kind, caring, and compassionate man; and he will be greatly missed.
SERVICES
A private memorial service will be held at the Lodi Buddhist Church.