Tsutomu Senaga

Tsutomu “Johnny” Senaga was born on January 4, 1938 in Okinawa, Japan. He was one of the younger children among 12 siblings. He endured an impoverished and challenging youth and did as much as he could to help his widowed mother, who had little means to support her family during and after WWII. In 1957, Tsutomu moved to Anchorage, Alaska where his eldest sister Hideko and her husband resided. He worked numerous jobs to help support his mother and siblings back in Japan. He eventually met his wife Kiyoko, from Okinawa. They married on February 26, 1964, and raised their four children in Anchorage.

Tsutomu and Kiyoko spent many summer weekends fishing and camping with annual trips to Okinawa to visit family. They also made time for special trips to California, Hawaii, and Europe. His career at Northwest Airlines flight kitchen spanned over 35 years, and he was recognized with many awards for successfully closing catering contracts with worldwide airline partners. They eventually retired in Seattle to be with their children.

Tsutomu and Kiyoko spent their retirement taking many road trips around Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Vancouver BC. They frequently flew back to Okinawa to visit with family and friends. They also spent much of their time caring for their six grandchildren who were their pride and joy. They went to as many soccer games, baseball games, and dance recitals they could attend. Tsutomu loved walking and got in his 10,000 steps almost daily for the past 30 years. Some of his favorite places to walk were on the sands of Cannon Beach, Oregon and the tiled walkways of Factoria Square mall, where he reigned over the Red Robin on a weekly basis. Tsutomu walked not just for health, but he would often say with a smile he walked for hope. He had an incredible work ethic and often spoke to his grandchildren about his values and to be thankful for the blessings in their life.

Although a man of small stature, he will be remembered as a giant by his children, grandchildren, and those closest to him. He was a man of great will and tenacity but also a strong, loving, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Tsutomu Senaga is survived by his four children and their families: Cindy Nguyen (daughter) and her husband TL and their son Joshua, Judy Senaga (daughter), Kim Sokoloski (daughter) and her husband Mike and their kids Jake and Kyla, and John Senaga (son) and his wife Holly and their daughters Hayden, Kennedy, and Peyton.

May he rest in peace with our mother whom he missed very much and lived the final years of his life fulfilling her wishes of taking care of their family, while enjoying the small joys in life.

Thank you all for your love and support.

Cindy, Judy, Kim, John, and family