Tami Katsuhiro Rooks

Born on May 30, 1954 in Yokohama, Japan to Kikuyo Takada and Curtiss James Rooks becoming the joy of this international and interracial family. Three years later, his little brother Curtiss joined the family making Tami, “the BIG brother”, a role he would cherish and marked many of his relationships with his closet friends. Growing up Tami lived in Yokohama/Camp Zama Japan; Manhattan, Kansas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Antonio, Texas and Okinawa, Japan, but for his family Manhattan is where they call home and where he would graduate from high school in 1972. Upon graduation, Tami attended Kansas State University. He would eventually earn his associates degree in accounting from Barnes Business College.

Athletically, Tami excelled as pitcher recording numerous no and one hitters earning him a tryout with the Cincinnati Reds who would offer to sign him. Tami turned the Reds down to attend Kansas State University where he was a fixture in the clarinet section of the Kansas State Marching and Pep Bands.

In the late 1970s, the Denver area became his new home, eventually settling in Aurora. Soon a steadfast Bronco fan was born. Tami entered the airlines business in reservations at Frontier Airlines and in 1988 began work with United Airlines as a service director and upgrade supervisor.

At United, Tami met Annamarie through mutual friends and they would marry on October 26, 1993. Tami was a bonus dad instead of a step-father to daughters Tammi & Anntella and sons Kenya & Deon (deceased). To his grandkids, he is “Papa Tami” and loved for his care and support.

In 1999, he took on a new family role as Uncle Tami when Mariko was born to Curtiss and Miki.

Tami died at home on December 14, 2021 and is survived by his wife Annamarie, brother Curtiss, sister-in-law Miki, daughters Tammi & Anntella, son Kenyon, niece Mariko and ten (10) grandchildren.

A memorial service for Tami will be held Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave., Denver, CO 80231.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Tami’s honor to APIA Scholars, a national organization providing college scholarships for low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander youth. https://apiascholars.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Rooks family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Rooks family.