Colonel Murata was born August 26, 1929 in Waipouli, Kauai, Hawaii. He graduated from the University of Hawaii, at Honolulu, Hawaii in 1952 with a degree in Banking and Finance. During his military career, he completed Accounting and Finance Officers Course, Data Automation Course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Professional Military Comptrollers Course.
Colonel Murata entered active military duty in October 1952 as a statistical services officer at Hickam AFB, Hawaii and was later selected to serve as the Chief of Protocol, Pacific Air Forces. From there, he was assigned to the HQ Far East Air Force, in the Office of Protocol at Fuchu Air Station, Japan. He then served as the Accounting and Finance Officer in Amarillo Technical Training Center located in Amarillo, TX. Colonel Murata was then asked to serve as the aide and executive officer to General Seth J. McKee, Commander U.S. Forces Japan and Commander Fifth Air Force with headquarters at Fuchu Air Station, Japan during the time of the USS Pueblo incident. Colonel Murata remained as aide and executive officer to General McKee’s successor, Lieutenant General Thomas K. McGehee. When General McGehee later assumed his new assignment as Commander, Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, CO, he asked Colonel Murata to join him as his aide and executive officer. Following the retirement of General McGehee, Colonel Murata was assigned as Director of Cost and Management Analysis, HQ Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He later served as Assistant to the Commander, San Antonio Real Property Maintenance Agency, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in December 1980 with over 28 years of continuous active duty service.
Among the various military awards and decorations, Colonel Murata was awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; the Meritorious Service Medal; the AF Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; AF Outstanding Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal; AF Longevity Service Award with 5 oak leaf clusters.
Following his retirement, Ike worked as a real estate broker in commercial and residential real estate, primarily selling small businesses in the San Antonio area.
Ike was an avid golfer. He started his golf career as a caddy in 1938 at the age of 9 at Wailua Golf Course, Kauai. At age 15, he won his first tournament by 24 strokes. He played golf for the University of Hawaii which had an outstanding team. Although Hawaii was too small to compete for the NCAA Championship, some local organizers paired Ike against PGA pro Tom Nieporte, the 1951 NCAA National Champion from the Ohio State University. Ike won the match play event 3-0. Ike played competitive golf from 1954 through 1960. He won the Fil-American International tournament in 1954 and 1955. In 1956, he placed 4th at the Hawaiian Open as an amateur, and won the Hawaiian Public Links, Hawaiian Armed Forces, and the Pacific Air Force Championships. He also represented Hawaii in the USGA Public Links championships in San Francisco. In 1956, Ike was assigned to the Far East Air Forces Headquarters at the personal request of General Laurence S. Kuter. In Japan, he continued to compete in tournaments as his military schedule would permit. Ike became somewhat of a local celebrity, being an officer in the USAF and of Japanese descent. He competed in the Japan Open and won Best Amateur in 1957 and 1958. His most cherished achievement was being recognized as an honorary lifetime member of Koganei Country Club; the most exclusive golf course in Japan. He was the Koganei Country Club Champion/Best Amateur in 1957-58-59. His competitive career ended in 1960 when he was diagnosed with a lower back disorder that made it difficult for him to walk or stand for longer than 5 minutes. Forgoing surgery, failed medical treatments and pain medications, Ike developed his own exercise and physical therapy regimen that he would do over the course of each day to strengthen his core. His self-treatments enabled him to continue to play the game he loved. He would go on to win the ATC Commander’s Cup (1975), the Retired USAF Golf Championship (1989), and numerous country club championships. Despite his success, Ike was probably best known for his sportsmanship and friendly demeanor whenever he played. He continued to enjoy playing golf with his golf buddies well into his 80s and could boast a 7 handicap at 82. In his late 80’s, a neurosurgeon and pain management physician requested an MRI of Ike’s lower back. They independently said that based upon the MRI images alone that he should be wheelchair bound. Upon learning of the exercise regimen that he developed, they said his approach was contrary to anything that they had learned or would recommend, and suggested that he write a book. They found it remarkable that he was able to walk, nevertheless play golf.
Ike loved spending time outdoors tending to his orchids, caring for the koi pond, cultivating his flowering plants and trees, and walking and meeting neighbors. He also enjoyed cooking and was often asked to prepare “Bumpa’s meat” for the family. Grandpa’s love for music with his singing, whistling, and harmonica playing entertained his family – along with his wonderful story-telling.
Family and friends were the most important part of Ike’s life. He was a devoted husband, tenderly caring for his beloved wife May, who preceded him in death. Ike and May were college sweethearts and had been married for 64 years. Ike was greatly admired and dearly loved by all his family. He is survived by his daughter, Liz and her husband Don Duffy and his son, Rick and his wife Woody Murata, and by his younger brother “Bobby” Murata of Kauai. He was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was the proud grandfather of triplets David Paul, Jennifer and Jared Abel and Allie and Forrest Tylutki, and of Melissa and Matt Gomez, Jonathan and Dr. Alyssa Murata, Daniel Murata, Dr. Megan and Ben Leach, Michael and Jaime Murata, and Andrew Murata. He was the great-grandfather of Kai Isamu Gomez and Hope and Olive Leach. Ike was preceded in death by his first grandchild, Christopher Murata.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kapaa High School Foundation, or the Japanese Megumi International Church of San Antonio.
