Frank Teruo Oki, 83, passed away peacefully at home under Hospice care after a hard fought battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Frank was born to Asao "Henry" Oki and Hisako Ishikuni on December 22, 1936 in Los Angeles, California.
During the war his family went from Pomona assembly center to Heart Mountain, Wyoming, internment camp and for three years in the barrack Block 1, Unit 14, Apartment Delta. Frank's family was one of the last families to leave camp and saw some of the barracks burned. They relocated to Spokane, where his father worked for Great Northern Railroad. Later the family moved to Nakagawa Farm in Hangman Valley where both parents along with the children worked on the farm. Frank being the oldest helped with the cooking, which lead him to become a great cook all his life. Growing up Frank enjoyed playing basketball in the Buddhist Church league, and throughout grade school, he also played baseball and football. He continued playing football during his time at Lewis & Clark High School. Frank attended Gonzaga University for three years while working at his best friend, Leroy Hisayasu's father's produce stand.
In 1962, Frank moved to Seattle to begin a new job at Boeing as an Engineering Tech on the Minuteman missiles for 25 years. He later transferred to the Commercial Division Weights Group working on the single aisle planes (737/757). For many years, Frank also worked at the Arco gas station on Rainier Avenue as a night manager. Frank retired from Boeing in 1995 after a 33 year career.
Activities Frank loved included golfing with the Blue Phantom Club, Wednesday “Buddies” golf group, volleyball, and bowling (Imperial Lanes and Skyway Bowl). You would also find Frank in the great outdoors matsutake/mushroom hunting, fishing, razor clam digging, smelting, and crabbing. In addition, he spent time with family and friends playing slot machines at local casinos, monthly poker and Shanghai rummy, where he invented some "Oki Rules" that became popular with the card group. For relaxation, he enjoyed watching NHK television, working in the yard, date nights to the movies with Kim, just to name a few.
Frank had three lovely daughters, Francene, Corinne, and Alison from a previous marriage. He met Kim Maekawa where they both played volleyball in a church league, and later married in 1984. They both continued to play volleyball and worked for Boeing. After Frank's retirement, Frank and Kim enjoyed travelling which included 20 ocean cruises around various parts of the world and two river cruises in Europe. Some travels included road trips with Kim's sister, Val Jackson and her husband Jere, to many national parks including Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff in Canada.
Frank lived life to its fullest, spending a wonderful 35 years of marriage with Kim, and enjoying time with family and friends. He and Kim drove many miles to attend many sports and school events in support of their grandchildren. In addition, Frank was always willing and able to help out both family and friends when needed.
Frank will be remembered by all he encountered as a loyal, happy, and caring “gentle” man with a calm demeanor, “great” smile, and playful sense of humor. He was a loyal and caring person to all he touched.
Preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Vernon "Oscar" Maekawa, and son-in-law, Kenneth McCormick.
Frank is survived by wife, Kim, daughters, Francene McCormick, Corinne (Brian) Eng, and Alison Yamasaki. Grandchildren, Kara (DJ) Matthews, Jonathan Leung, Kenneth McCormick II, Briana Eng, Tyler Eng, Cortney Eng, and Tiffany Yamasaki. Great Grandchildren, Bryson Matthews and Kaileia Matthews. Mother-in-law, Rubie Maekawa. Brothers, James (Nami) Oki, and Roy (Christy) Oki, sister Grace Fukutomi, and many extended family.
With great appreciation, the family would like to thank the Evergreen Health hospice staff for their care and support while Frank was at home. We would also like to thank the many friends and family for their visits, food, support and comfort during this difficult time.
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