Tosh Takayasu Kirihara

Tosh Takayasu Kirihara, age 101 passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024 of natural causes, with family at his bedside. Tosh was born on September 1, 1922, in Auburn, Washington to Yoneichi (Frank) Kirihara and Asano Fujiwara. He spent his early years in school and working on farms and sawmills. After the U.S. entered World War Il he and his family were incarcerated at the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho. He entered the U.S. Army in 1944 and from 1945 to 1946 served as an interpreter in the 519th MP Battalion during the American occupation of Japan. Returning to the U.S. he settled in Spokane where he met his future wife Amy (nee Kawakami). They married in 1949 and raised three children in Spokane where Tosh took classes in vehicle repair and worked as a mechanic at several places before retiring from his last job with Spokane County in 1985.

Tosh and Amy moved to Spokane Valley in 1978 and after retirement enjoyed a long and active life travelling the American West and Canada, golfing, fishing, and visiting relatives. They were also active in the Spokane Buddhist Church. Tosh spent much of his later years golfing, following the Mariners on TV, and raising vegetables in his yard. He moved to Seattle in 2022 to live with his daughter Jean.

Tosh was preceded in death by Amy in 2006. He is survived by his children, Leslie, Donald (Denise Kervin), and Jean; grandchild Caitlin (David Painter); and great-grandchild West (Painter). Tosh is also survived by his brothers Jimmy (Ann), and Michael (Junko); his sister Hollie; and many nephews, nieces and their families.

The family wishes to thank Heart of Bellevue AFH for their compassion and professionalism during Tosh's final months. At Tosh's request no services will be held. Please no flowers and no memorials.

Tosh will be interred with his wife at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane, WA.