Tommy T Nanamura

Tom Nanamura, 96, of San Jose, California, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in the presence of his daughter, Carol Isozaki.

Born on February 28, 1929, in Lindsay, California, Tom was the son of Torakichi and Sono Nanamura. During World War II, when Tom was 13 years old, he and his family were evacuated to the Poston internment camp in Arizona in July 1942, and were permitted to return to California in February 1945. Despite this hardship, Tom persevered, continuing as a dedicated student and accomplished athlete. He graduated from Strathmore High School, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. He went on to attend Porterville College, where he was a member of the 1946 Central California Conference Championship team. He was inducted into the Porterville College Athletic Hall of Fame in January 1991 in recognition of this achievement. Tom then transferred to Stanford University, earning his bachelor's degree in education in 1951 and later his master's degree from San Jose State University.

At Stanford, Tom earned the nickname "Rock" for his prowess as a boxer, winning the "All University" Boxing Title in his weight class.

Tom married his wife, Mary, in 1952, and enjoyed 65 wonderful years together, living in Maryland, Japan, and settling in San Jose, CA. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from September 1953 to August 1955. Following his military service and finishing his masters, he dedicated his life to education, beginning his career as an elementary school teacher before advancing to vice principal and then principal. He served as a principal for over 30 years, with 30 of those years at Bachrodt Elementary School in San Jose, California, where he touched the lives of countless students, families, and fellow educators.

His commitment to public service extended beyond education when he served on the 1966 Santa Clara County Grand Jury, demonstrating his civic dedication to his community.

Outside of his professional life, Tom loved trout fishing. He was a member of the Southside Fishing Club in San Jose, where he won many trophies and often served as the master of ceremonies for their annual trophy dinner. Tom was also a devoted San Francisco 49ers and Stanford sports fan who could often be heard exclaiming "YIPPEE!" from the family room, whenever his team made a great play.

Tom and his wife shared many laughs and beloved traditions and activities. They took annual fishing trips to Diamond Lake, spent Friday and Saturday nights visiting with friends and playing pinochle with family, and made frequent trips to Tahoe. Tom loved being behind the video camera, capturing every holiday and family event, ensuring that precious memories were preserved for future generations. He also enjoyed listening to Japanese music and making mixed tapes of his favorite vocalists.

Tom was a devoted father to his daughter, Carol, teaching her invaluable life skills that included how to laugh at yourself, take chapter notes, use power tools, throw/catch a baseball and football, drive a car, and fish. He fostered her love of amusement parks, taking her on the "big kid" rides when she was little. He was her protector, saving her from all the spiders she was scared of, and her biggest supporter, believing she could do anything she put her mind to—including singing, though she couldn't carry a tune. His unwavering faith in her abilities shaped her confidence and determination throughout her life.

Above all, Tom loved being a grandfather to Connor and Blake. When they were babies, he could never hold them enough, often waiting outside the house to greet them and scoop them up. He attended every basketball, soccer, baseball, and flag football game, as well as every school production and graduation, until it became too difficult to do so. He and Mary cherished taking Connor and Blake on special outings and babysitting them often. Whenever his daughter visited without his grandsons, his first questions were always where they were and how they were doing—a testament to the central place they held in his heart.

Despite his naturally shy disposition, Tom's warmth and genuine interest in others made him a beloved friend to many. He built lasting friendships with coworkers, the regulars on his bus trips to Tahoe and Reno as well as the Harrah’s staff, and his McDonald's senior breakfast group. He had the remarkable ability to chat with any stranger as if they were already friends.

Tom was always quick to lend a helping hand, even after he became the one who needed help. Whether offering to help others with their luggage on the bus to Tahoe despite being the oldest person there, or helping push a car stuck in the mud at a fishing location when he was in his 80s, Tom's instinct was always to assist others rather than accept assistance himself.

After losing his beloved wife Mary in 2017, Tom demonstrated the same determination that had carried him through life's challenges. He was resolute in his commitment to continue to live independently, daily exercising his brain and his body to stay sharp and strong. At the age of 88, he learned to balance a checkbook, cook (a little), do laundry, and assume all household responsibilities. He resisted accommodations or regular help, viewing them as a slippery slope to decreased capabilities and independence. Tom became remarkably resourceful and inventive, finding brilliant, unconventional ways to continue doing everything himself—a testament to his indomitable spirit and refusal to surrender his autonomy.

One of Tom's favorite activities after becoming a widower was buying snacks for others—a simple but meaningful expression of his caring nature. He made weekly trips to Costco, the Dollar Store, or grocery store to replenish his supply, always ready to hand out individual treats or custom variety bags to anyone who he met up with. This generous gesture became one of his trademarks, as did his always clean-shaven appearance, Hawaiian shirts, and perfectly groomed flat top haircut.

After moving to assisted living in August 2025, Tom's gracious and appreciative nature continued to shine. The staff, caregivers, as well as doctors and nurses who cared for him during his many hospital visits in recent months, always spoke of how sweet, thoughtful, and appreciative he was. True to his character, he would even tell his doctors that he was proud of them—a reflection of his lifelong ability to see and celebrate the good in others.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife Mary; and his siblings Frank Nanamura, Sachi Hiraoka, Esther Nakashima, Hank Nanamura, Jim Nanamura, and Jerry Nanamura.

Tom is survived by his daughter Carol Isozaki; son-in-law Les Isozaki; grandsons Connor and Blake Isozaki; and a large extended family who will cherish his memory.

A private celebration of life service will be held in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream in Tom's honor are welcomed, to continue his legacy in education. Always Dream supports early childhood literacy in high need communities, and a beneficiary school is Bachrodt Elementary, where Tom served as principal for 30 years.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.