Ryoko Mikami Crump

She met her husband, Charles “Charlie”, in Misawa, Japan when he was stationed there while in the Air Force. They were married on January 9, 1959 in Hokkaido, Japan. Ryoko left Japan to live in the U.S. with Charlie. They had their first and only child, Nina, while living in Burns, Oregon.

They relocated numerous times until Charlie retired from the Air Force, and they settled in Seattle, Washington. After several years of living in the U.S., Ryoko finally acquired her American citizenship on July 1, 1974. She worked for J. L. Houston Jewelry, Inc. in Seattle for 20 years designing and manufacturing jewelry. After retiring, she dedicated herself to being a housewife. She enjoyed cooking delicious food for family and friends.

Ryoko passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024, and she will join Charlie whom she missed so much after his passing. They would have been married 65 years.

Ryoko will be remembered for her strength, beauty, elegance, and kind heart. She always maintained her Japanese culture. She loved the classic Japanese singers and was especially fond of an American poem translated to Japanese lyrics sung by Masafumi Akikawa. This is how her spirit will live on and be remembered. Her family will “toast” to her long life of 93 years!

“Sen No Kaze Ni Natte” (Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep)

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glints on the snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

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