Kaihara, Henry's Obituary
In Fond Remembrance Henry Hiroshi Kaihara Jr, known by all as Hank, of Lakewood, Washington, entered into eternal rest on July 13, 2025. He was a dedicated husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma, of 67 years, their four daughters, Valerie, Cynthia, Wendy, and Kimi, son-in-laws, nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his siblings, Lennard, Kevin, and Karen. Hank is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary, stepparents, Fred and Elsie, and siblings, Miki, Marlene, Linda, and Thomas.
Hank was born on June 28, 1933, in Sacramento, California. During WWII, at the age of eight, he and his family were sent to a Japanese American internment camp. He credits his desire to persevere and succeed in life to his time in the camp. After high school, Hank enlisted in the United States Air Force. He later met Thelma while being stationed in Plattsburgh, New York. Hank and Thelma got married in 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Hank continued his military career while serving in both the United States Air Force and the United States Army. He served in many overseas tours, to include Korea, Guam, and Vietnam. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer-3 in 1979, and he received many awards, to include Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. As a retired army officer, Hank went to college where he received a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees.
One of his most rewarding accomplishments in life was a bonsai business that he shared with Thelma. They owned Bonsai by Kaihara for over thirty years where they sold their trees and gave back to the community by volunteering their time to teach this art form at schools, festivals, and clubs. Their home had more than 250 bonsai trees, and they sold those trees at various art festivals in the Pacific Northwest, to include the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon and Salmon Days in Issaquah. Hank and Thelma also won numerous awards for their bonsai trees at the Washington State Fair.
We are grateful for the many years God blessed Hank. He leaves behind a lasting legacy and will be dearly missed by family and friends.
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