Takaaki "Ted" Maeyama

On the afternoon of August 4, 2025, Takaaki “Ted” Maeyama passed away peacefully at home with family and a long-time friend at his bedside. Ted had fought a long battle with kidney cancer and he faced it courageously until the end. Ted was just 65 years old at the time of his passing.

Ted was born in Naze City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan on April 17, 1960. He was the youngest of five children. Ted is preceded in death by both his parents: his father Taketoshi Maeyama and his mother Shigee Maeyama, as well as two older brothers Takao (the eldest brother) and Masahide (the third eldest).

When Ted was a year old, his family moved to Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. In 1982, after graduating from Kansai University with a degree in Economics, Ted worked as a tour guide for a travel agency.

In 1985, Ted immigrated to the United States. He first visited Mexico City, where he spent about three weeks sightseeing. After his stay in Mexico City, Ted went to Tijuana to enter the United States. From there, he traveled to Los Angeles and then to Key West, where he had friends. Unable to find work in Key West, Ted moved to Naranja City, near Miami, where he worked as a contract lime picker for five months.

In February 1986, Ted moved to New York City and worked in a restaurant for six months. He then joined a Japanese travel agency as a tour guide.

As a tour guide, Ted guided Japanese tourists around the world, including China, the Philippines, Fiji, the Mariana Islands, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and of course the United States: NYC, SF, LA, and Orlando. He also served as a private tour guide for wealthy Japanese people and celebrities. He was especially proud to have shown the famous Japanese singer Saori Yuki around NYC.

Over the years, Ted was fortunate enough to have lived in several American cities. In addition to those already noted, Ted lived in Orlando, Nashville, and Dallas. In 2000, he moved to the Atlanta area where he settled.

Ted worked for the Cartersville, Georgia office of the Atlanta Trading Company, Inc for two years before joining the Atlanta branch of JFC (Japanese Food Company) International in 2002. There, Ted served as the Military Division Coordinator, managing distribution to military installations throughout the Southeast. Ted retired from JFC in March of this year.

Ted was very creative and had many hobbies, including sewing, leatherworking, woodcarving, drawing and painting. He made soap and gave it as much appreciated gifts to family and friends. Ted had a wonderful singing voice and loved karaoke. Growing up, Ted learned to cook by watching his mother and grandmother. He was a true master of Japanese cuisine. Ted loved hosting lavish parties where he served fabulous meals. Ted truly embodied the Japanese spirit of hospitality, known as "omotenashi."

Ted loved to travel. He and his husband, Russell, shared many memorable journeys. They visited Japan six times for sightseeing and to visit family and friends. They also made several trips to Europe and Mexico. Their final trip took them to the beautiful cities of Rome, Firenze, and Pisa leaving them with many wonderful memories.

Ted is survived by his companion and husband of 23 years, Russell Spornberger of Atlanta, Georgia, step-daughter (Russell’s daughter) Leslie, her husband Kevin, and grandson Drew; brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Rhonda Spornberger, their daughter Whitney; her husband Trey, and their children Madeline, Sean, David, and Charlotte. Ted’s surviving family members in Japan are his older brother, Masanori Maeyama, his wife Atsuko, their daughter Rie and son Hajime and their spouses and children; Ted’s sister, Sayoko Ito and her husband Yutaka and their children and grandchildren; his uncle, Shigenori Fukunaga and his wife Kinuko and their daughter Ayako Dolen who lives in the US with her husband Cletis, and their children and grandchildren. Ted has many nieces and nephews in Japan. They affectionately called him "Big Bro Takabo"!

Ted was dearly loved by his family, friends, and co-workers. His tender heart allowed him to touch the hearts of others, young and old, in an unforgettable way. Ted was authentic and sincere in his life. He expected the same from others. At times, Ted could be strict. He had little tolerance for nonsense, vanity, or frivolous action. Indeed, his admonishments of friends, family, and co-workers only served to endear him to them even more. Ted will live forever in the hearts of all those who loved him.

REST IN PEACE

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The Celebration of Life Service for Ted was held on Saturday, October 04, 2025. A video of the service is available at this link: https://youtu.be/VSu_h7ApHIE

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Remembering Ted:

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Takaaki “Ted” Maeyama to one the following:

furkids: https://furkids.org/

Russell and Ted’s beloved Momo was adopted from furkids.

AWARE Wildlife Center: https://www.awarewildlife.org/

AWARE cared for an injured Robin that Ted found in the front yard of Russell & Ted’s home.

fodac, friends of disabled adults & children: https://fodac.org/

One of the many of fodac’s programs fodac is supplying medical equipment and care items to people in need.. Ted’s durable medical equipment and medical supplies were recently donated to fodac so that they could continue to be put to good use by helping others.