Itaru "Terry" Tanaka
November 17, 2011
Itaru “Terry” Tanaka, 64, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 17, 2011. A celebration of his vibrant life will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.
Terry was born in Fukuoka, Japan to Hitoe and Moriyuki Tanaka. He grew up primarily in Yokohama, Japan and graduated from Kanagawa University with a degree in economics. He was the CEO of Microsoy Corporation located in Jefferson, Iowa. Terry enjoyed working out and playing golf at Echo Valley.
He was a devoted husband and father and will be greatly missed by his wife, Yoko; daughters, Miho and June; son, Jay; his three brothers and one sister in Japan.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Elaine Wedeking
11/21/2011
Dear Yoko and family,
I was very shocked and saddened to see Terry's obituary in yesterday's paper. My heart goes out to all of you. What a great guy he was! My first thought was "this is so not fair"! On the occasions we shared with you, when our girls were participating in violin activities, we enjoyed his company so much. He was such a warm person and it was a delight to be in his company. I sensed that he was very proud of his family and loved being married to you, Yoko.
I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you. He was much too young and full of life. I send hugs and love to you and a special hello and hug for June, whose wonderful personality I remember with great affection.
I would love to get together for dinner some evening when you are feeling up to it. I am alone now, too.
In loving sympathy,
Elaine Wedeking
Mari Smith
11/21/2011
Dear Yoko-san:
I'm so sorry for your loss of your husband Terry. I know how difficult this must be for you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
May God bless you and your family during this time and always,
Sincerely,
Mari
Sandra Potter
11/21/2011
Sincere sympathy Yoko, Blessing and comfort to you and your family during this time.
Sandra Potter
Richard Hiler
11/20/2011
Yoko, Miho, June and Jay,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Terry at MicroSoy and really enjoyed working with him. He was a good man and a good friend. My prayers are with you all. May God remind you of the good times with Terry and give you hope and comfort through this time.
With the love of Christ,
Richard Hiler
John and Juanita Baranowski
11/19/2011
Dear Yoko, Miho, Jay and Jun,
This thanksgiving we will thank God for the wonderful gift of having Terry in our lives.
He helped Juanita to attend medical school, he inspired Jennifer to learn Japanese and go to Japan, he made Catherine laugh and he was a great friend and boss for John.
We will miss him forever.
Our prayers are with you,
John and Juanita Baranowski
Leo & Keri Brooker
11/19/2011
To Yoko, Miho, Jay & June:
It is with deep sadness that we hear of Terry's Passing. We very much feel blessed to have known Terry;
Itaru taught us many things within the Soybean Industry and Japanese Business attitudes.
You are certainly in our prayers as you grieve a Loving Husband & Father.
May Angels keep watch over you as you deal with this pain.
God Bless you.
Leo & Keri Brooker
Dung Burgett
11/19/2011
Miho and family..
I send my condolences to your family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Stanley Prawiradjaja
11/19/2011
My condolences to Mr. Tanaka's family.
He is always been a kind man with great sense of humor.
I was shocked to hear the news of his passing.
Again my condolences to the family.
Miki Katayama Hattori
11/18/2011
Dear Mrs. Yuko Tanaka and her family
This is Miki (Katayama) Hattori, who used to work with his project at Iowa State University.
I heard your loss from my good friend of mine in Iowa, Naoko Naganuma.
I am too shocked to hear the news, but also I am deeply sorry for your feeling now.
Please accept my condolences...
I had loss in 1995, in Kobe Big Earthquake, and this spring in Japan.
I know this is our life, but any one of the loss can hurt and broke our heart too deeply. I really hope your children and friends can share and hold your broken heart with you now.
I very appreciate that I could meet and know Mr. Tanaka in my life.
Sincerely,
Miki Katayama Hattori
5382 Grey Stag Ct,
Suwanee, GA 30024
mikicake@gmail.com
Rodd Marquis
11/18/2011
Yoko & Family,
Marianne called me this morning and broke the very, very sad news to me about your husband and father. And what a SHOCK it was!!!! I've been thinking about you guys all day and want to tell you that Terry was a "GREAT" guy. Whenever I saw him, I was greeted with a smile,nod and hand shake followed with pleaseant conversations. It was always a joy to see your husband and father because he had a way of cheering me up on days that really seemed filled with stress.
I feel HONORED to have known him and will raise him up in payer every chance I get. Tanaka family, hold your heads up and grieve as you must but always know that "GOD" will NEVER give you anything that you, with his help, can't come through on the other end and be ok.
Yoko, if you ever need help with anything and I mean ANYTHING, PLEASE call me or arianne and we will be there for you.
Deepest love and sympathies
Rodd Marquis
Takeshi Fukuda
11/18/2011
Yoko san,
I am very sorry to hear this sad sad news.
My heart is with you.
Takeshi
Mary Davis
11/18/2011
Yoko and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
May your memories give you comfort.
Mary Davis
Linda Funk
11/18/2011
Dear Yoko and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy! Terry was a great person. I so enjoyed working with him in the soyfoods business. My heart aches fo you...may knowing that friends and associates are keeping you in their prayers help with your sadness and loss.
My deepest sympathy,
Linda Funk