Gerald Jiro Oyabe

Gerald "Jits" Oyabe was born on March 20, 1930 in Seattle, WA, to Joseph and Ruth Oyabe and passed peacefully on May 14, 2017 following a long history of vascular complications and more recently cancer. He was predeceased by an older sister, Joanne (Shig) Watanabe and an older brother Patrick (Sally). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gail, son, Glenn (Yvette), daughter, Gia Oyabe, granddaughters Mika and Amaya, sister-in-law Arlene Oki, and many nieces and nephews. At the onset of WWII in 1942, the family was sent to Minidoka, ID. and Tule Lake, CA, internment camps until 1945. Upon returning to Seattle, Gerald attended and graduated from Franklin HS. He had a long successful career in the cosmetology industry starting in the downtown Seattle area, then opened Gerald's Hair Design in the 60s on Mercer Island and in Bellevue Square. Shortly after he purchased the Bellevue Beauty School. He was actively involved at the state and national levels by being selected to the National Accrediting Commission as an examiner and traveled throughout Region X for many years. Gerald had many interests ....an avid reader, listening to jazz, fishing, mushrooming, clamming, Seahawks, Husky football, and golf. He and Gail spent most of their recent vacations on a golf course whenever possible. He was a past member of Meridian Valley CC and the Blue Phantom GC and the Bellevue Club. He was a loving, devoted husband and best friend, father and grandfather, kindhearted, generous, with a wonderful sense of humor. Please join us for a celebration of life at the Bellevue Club, 11200 SE 6th St, Bellevue, WA on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 2:00 - 4:00PM to share memories of how he touched our lives. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Keiro Northwest or charity of your choice.