Jiro Yamamoto's Obituary
Jiro Yamamoto, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 5 at the age of 82 in Salt Lake City.
Born on February 13, 1940 in Kawasaki, Japan, Jiro was known for his big smile and even bigger heart. His love language was food and nothing made him happier than to make memorable, delicious Japanese cuisine and feeding those he loved. Besides cooking, he also had a great love for golf, fishing, gardening, and most of all, his beloved dogs over the years: Charcoal, Riki, and most recently, Leo.
Following graduation from culinary school in Japan and working as a quality inspector for a Toshiba parts supplier company, Jiro emigrated to the United States in 1973 to be a teppanyaki chef at 47 Samurai in Salt Lake City. His talent as a skilled sushi chef did not go unnoticed, and he was recruited to run the sushi bar at Café Viceous Rumeurs at the popular Triad Center. Jiro later worked for several years at Kyoto Japanese Restaurant with his dear friend, Sam Tada. From this friendship, the two perpetuated the story that they were brothers—often jockeying for opinions on who was younger—something the pair took great delight in doing for many years.
Jiro and his wife, Kikuko, met in Salt Lake City through mutual friends in the restaurant industry and were married in 1976. In 1988, they branched into entrepreneurship converting a small diner on Social Hall Avenue (now part of the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City) into their first restaurant, Yamato. In 1990, they opened Suehiro Japanese Restaurant in Midvale, and for many years customers would come to Suehiro not just for the wonderful Japanese food, but also for the warmth, hospitality, and friendship both Jiro and Kikuko were known and loved for.
After nearly 20 successful years and countless loyal, long-time customers turned friends, they made the decision to retire and sold Suehiro in 2008. As part of the transition, Jiro stayed on until 2011 to help guide and support the new ownership. Not one to stay still for long, he later returned to Kyoto Japanese Restaurant where he worked as a sushi chef until April 2019, followed by his retirement in May upon being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Since then, he continued being his cheerful and caring self and doing what he loved: cooking and feeding family, meticulously cleaning the house and maintaining his beautiful landscaping and yard, and of course, spoiling Leo. Part of their daily routine would be to take a drive—with Leo sitting contently in the front seat—to their favorite park nearby for some playtime and a walk around the park.
On June 30, 2022, Jiro experienced a catastrophic health event—ischemic metabolic encephalopathy. During his 28 days between progressive care and acute rehabilitation, there were times of progress and events of decline. Every day, he worked to regain strength and mobility in order to reach his goal to return home to his family and Leo. For the next eight weeks he was able to rest comfortably at home with the help of home health care, followed by assisted living hospice care.
Jiro is survived by his wife Kikuko; children Douglas (Krist Wong) and Patricia; and grandchildren Sarahann and Thor. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Atlas Homecare & Hospice for their diligent and compassionate care; and to Sidney, homecare nurse, and Sara, hospice nurse, both of whom were truly invested in his care, comfort, and quality of life.
A Celebration of Life event for Jiro will be planned for February 2023 in honor of his birthday, for friends and loved ones to come together in remembrance, celebration and love. Details will be shared closer to the event. Wishes of condolence for or inquiries to Kikuko and the Yamamoto family may be sent to [email protected]
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