George Sumio Akimoto

February 21, 1917 - July 21, 2014

George Sumio Akimoto, 97, died peacefully at home in his sleep on July 21, 2014. He was born in Pendleton, Oregon on February 21, 1917. Survived by daughter, Sharon (David), sons, Dennis and Don, preceded in death by wife, Setsuko Uno Akimoto. Our dad was a great inspiration. He lived life fully till the very end, choosing to ride the chairlift at Sundance, and insisting on a wheelchair ride around Silver Lake at Brighton one week before he passed. These were some of his favorite activities along with rock collecting, watching Olympic Park ski jumpers, and going for drives in the mountains. We are deeply grateful to our family friend and dad’s personal care attendant of 6 years, Jody Mead, whose creativity, dedication and sense of possibility enabled him to have an active and fulfilling final decade (http://georgeandjody.blogspot.com). Fortunately, dad was always game for going out and trying new things. He never thought he was old. In his younger days, our dad was a talented baseball player, judo sensei, and golfer. He often said, “I’m a judo man.” Given his dedication to this sport, we wish to support Utah Judo with donations received also in lieu of flowers. Funeral services will be held at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 West 100 South, SLC on Saturday, July 26th at 2pm. Guests may arrive one hour prior for visitation and viewing.