JAMES SERIKAKU Obituary

JAMES T. SERIKAKU James "Jimmy" Torao Serikaku passed away in Honolulu on March 21, 2023, at the age of 94. He was born in Waipahu on August 22, 1928, and graduated from Waipahu High School. He was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Schofield from 1952-1954. After his discharge, he worked with his father at their Shell gas station, Serikaku Motors, on Farrington Hwy/Depot Road. Jimmy opened the first "Jimmy's Auto Parts" store in 1962, in Waipahu, followed by other locations in Aiea, Kaneohe, and Hilo. He eventually retired and in 1992, moved with his wife Beatrice (Takao) to Medford and then to Beaverton, Oregon. After Bea's death in 1999, Jimmy developed an interest in researching his Okinawan roots and joined the World Uchinanchu Business group, traveling with them to Okinawa, China and South America. With his donation to the Okinawan Center, the Serikaku Chaya was built in 2005 in memory of his parents Shigeru and Soyo Serikaku. Jimmy moved back to Honolulu in 2012 and remained an active member of Hawaii Sashiki Chinen, Okinawan Genealogy Club OGSH, and Ancestor Club. Jimmy was preceded in death by wife Bea; survived by children: Sharon Kokubun (San Mateo, CA), Cheryl-Lynn Sasaki, Wanda Teraoka (Santa Clara, CA), Warren Serikaku, Aileen Takara (Tacoma, WA), Jeanette Serikaku, Laura Bautista (Sparks, NV); 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; siblings: Lillian Suyama, George Serikaku, Ellen Ujimori. Funeral services will be held at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. RSVP to [email protected] if you are planning to attend. No Flowers.