Monte Minami, 92 passed away suddenly on May 18, 2021. He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his brother Kiyoshi (Kimiye) Minami, and sisters Haruko (Ted) Kawachi and Sakaye (George) Mitsuhata.

He is survived by his children Laura (Zlatko Paksec) Minami of Australia and Michael (Rika) Minami; grandchildren Kelsey (Gerald) Veltkamp of Australia, Caitlin (Jordan) Toussaint of Australia, and Tyler and Caden Minami; sister Shigeko (Dave) Yoshimura of Chicago and sister-in-law Veronica (James) Waka of Florida; also survived by many nieces, nephews and relatives.

Monte was born in Lomita CA on December 23, 1928. He was the last of five children born to Itoyo and Gisaburo Minami. He grew up in LA until he and his family were incarcerated (1942-1946) at Jerome and Rowher, in Arkansas. After the war, he and his family eventually returned to LA.

He was drafted in November 1950 and finished his military service in November 1952. He attended LA State College and graduated from UCLA in 1954 with a BA degree in Math.

His first job as a computer programmer was at North American Aviation from 1954-1958. He met and married Eleanor Waka in 1958. He worked for TRW from 1958-1962.

He started working at IBM in 1962. While at IBM, he was part of a team of computer programmers, headed by John Backus, that developed the IBM Mathematical Formula Translating System (nicknamed FORTRAN). He also contributed to NASA's aerospace effort that put the first man on the moon.

He was very active in many organisations in the 1950-1960s; as Program Chairman for the Evening Optimist Club in Gardena CA, Publicity Chairman for the Japanese American Citizen League in LA, along with memberships in the Association for Computer Machinists in LA and NISEI Bruins club in LA.

Once he retired from IBM, he held odd jobs that kept him busy. He volunteered at that San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. He had a knack for repairing TVs and video recorders. He created beautiful large-scale bonsai specimens from trees and shrubs that grew in the ground in the front and back yard of his home in West Hills CA, where he lived for 47 years.

After the passing of his wife Eleanor in 2015, he moved to a newly renovated home in Redlands CA, just three doors down the street from his son Michael and family, where he was lovingly looked after by Michael and Rika.

To the end, he was very independent, still driving himself to the grocery store and doctors' appointments. He rarely missed going on his daily 'mile' walk around the neighbourhood. He spoke to his daughter daily via Facetime despite the distance that separated them.

He was the type of person that didn't say much but when he did, it was usually spot on, and often very funny. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and he leaves an amazing legacy. He will be dearly missed.

Due to COVID-19 and the current international travel restrictions that prohibit his family living in Tasmania from departing Australia, an internment of ashes and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of koden Monte has requested individuals make a donation to their favorite charity in his memory.