Wataru Tanita

Wataru Tanita (Watty), a retired farmer, lived much of his life in Glendale, Arizona. In 2008, he moved to Los Alamitos, California where he lived with his daughter, Sandi, until his passing on April 27, 2020, just two months short of his 96th birthday following a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure.

Watty is survived by his wife of 70 plus years, Helen, his brother, Stome, his children, Gene (and wife, Cindy), Stan, and Sandi (and husband, Bob), his grandchildren, John, Robbie, Alexis, Brandon, Wes, Leah, Tanya, and Stan, Jr., great-grandchildren, Kiana, Anthony, and Bella, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The seventh of thirteen siblings, Watty was born on June 20, 1924 in Monterey Park, California, but moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1928. He attended North Phoenix High School, and completed business courses in Chillicothe, Missouri. In World War II, Watty, one of nine of twelve brothers who served in various branches of the military service, served with honor in the 442nd Infantry Regiment from 1944 to 1946. Watty and Helen Tamura were married on May 14, 1949 in Glendale, Arizona. Thereafter, Watty worked on Tanita Farms until the late 1980’s.

Watty was an avid golfer, beginning in 1960 and continuing through 2017 at the age of 92. He enjoyed golfing at various courses around the world, including Saint Andrews, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Princeville, Hawaii, and Pebble Beach, California (where the green fee with cart was $20 in 1970). Highlighting his golfing career, Watty came in First Place in the Dumas Club Tournament in 1968, and recorded a hole-in-one on the 13th hole at the Thunderbird Country Club Tournament on April 25, 1974.

Watty also enjoyed fishing. Among his fishing trips, he went deep sea fishing to catch albacore with his brother-in-law, Ken. He also went trout fishing with friends and family in Oak Creek and Prescott.

Watty loved to travel. In addition to his golfing excursions, he vacationed in Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Canada. He also traveled to Branson, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico, and made repeated trips to Hawaii, Colorado, California and Sedona. Watty always enjoyed traveling with the family and visiting new places.

Watty was dedicated to his church. For years he attended the Phoenix Free Methodist Church, until 2008 when he began attending the Anaheim Free Methodist Church. Watty was particularly proud that he passed his driver’s test prior to his 94th birthday so that he could continue to drive to church until months before his passing.

Watty had a warm heart, a gentle spirit and the courage of a lion.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the services for Wataru are pending at this time. Services will be scheduled later when the current restrictions are lifted. All of that information will be updated on this memorial site. The family of Wataru thanks you for all the Love and Support during this difficult time.