Kazuko K. Morris

Kazuko Kohazame Morris

March 29, 1934 September 17, 2023

Kazuko Kohazame Morris passed away peacefully at her home in Anaheim California. Kazuko was the daughter to Iren and Fumiko Kohazame from Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. She was married to the late James Edward Morris for 52 years. She was a hero, fighter, courageous, selfless, strong, vivacious, embracive, loving, and generous wife, sister, cousin, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be deeply missed and smiled for all who knew her.

She was born and grew up in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan. She was a citizen in Okinawa during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. She had a high school education. She worked as a civilian with United States Army as an Accountant in Naha City, Okinawa Japan. After her marriage in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan, she moved to Rome, New York with her husband where he was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base. In 1973, she had one child. In 1974, she and her husband moved to Winter Springs, Florida. She was a housewife, wonderful and remarkable stay at home mom. She and her husband lived in Winter Springs, Florida for 26 years. In 2000, she and her husband lived in Southern California with their daughter until his death in 2006. She and her husband had many trips, excursions, and expeditions.

Kazuko was a dedicated, passionate, and enthusiastic gardener, sewer, walker, yoga, traveler, enjoyed trying new foods from different countries especially from her own origin, Ryukyu dancing, cooking, sports, shopping, Starbucks, Dentyne Cinnamon gum, movies, outdoors and day trips. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed each day.

She was diagnosed with dementia in 2006, breast cancer survivor in 2014 and Parkinson in 2015.

Kazuko is preceded in death by her husband James; her father, Iren Kohazame; her mother, Fumiko Kohazame, her sisters, Tsuruko Togashi and Yumiko Kohazame and her brothers, Isho Kohazme, Isei Kohzame. Kazuko is survived by her brother Iko Kohazame, her daughter Kathie Morris.

Kazuko is always with her daughter, Kathie. Thank you for the wonderful memories, in-depth talks, loving, hugging, and caring for you tightly and the bond between mother and daughter. Kathie loves you with all her heart. Wherever you go, I go sweet okaasan.

Quote from her favorite Japanese song, Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto.

“Ueo muite aruko namida ga koborenai yoni…”

“Look up (the sky) and walk … so your tear will not fall…”

Memorial donations are suggested to Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer awareness, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and Riverside National Cemetery.

Burial will be private at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside California

Services will held at Funeraria Del Angel, Anaheim California next year.