It is with great sadness that we announce that Terry Akira Sato, age 65, passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 1, 2026 at Torrance Memorial Hospital from cardiac arrest.

Terry was born in Inglewood, CA to Lloyd and Hannah Sato. He was the youngest of four children and grew up on the Sato family egg ranch in Gardena, CA. He attended Gardena Elementary, Peary Junior High where he was Student Body President and voted Most Popular, Gardena High School where he was again voted Most Popular, then Cal State Long Beach with hopes of becoming an Architectural Engineer.

During and after high school he worked for his brother Stan at Shoe Pavillion in Gardena, then later at the family’s restaurant, Island Quick, in Carson before embarking on a career as a Senior Software Engineer and Developer.

Terry had many interests growing up. He swam on the Gardena Swim School team, played Gardena Sansei league baseball and basketball, joined the Gardena Kendo Club for 13 years reaching second degree black belt and chosen to participate in the First Youth World Tournament in Japan, and then took Kung Fu for 3 years.

He loved the outdoors, nature, and sports. Skiing, fishing, falconry, fossils, golfing, volleyball, bowling, hunting for reptiles - some of his pets included chinchillas, snakes, lizards, chuckwallas, iguanas, geckos, bearded dragons, hissing cockroaches, scorpions, centipedes, walking sticks, and praying mantises.

Terry’s greatest joy was his family – wife Val and sons Shane and Tyler. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. Involved in all the kids’ sports and activities, including assistant coach of their basketball team. As an avid Lakers and Dodger fan, he loved watching the games with the family and going to games together.

Terry was truly loved by so many people. He will always be remembered for his welcoming smile, big hugs, friendliness, kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness, generosity, and heart of gold. He always put others before himself. Terry truly was one of a kind and we are so blessed and thankful to have shared our lives with him.

Terry is survived by his wife of 31 years, Valerie, twin sons Shane and Tyler, sister Phyllis Tom, brother Mark Sato, mother-in-law Lynnie Tabata, sister-in-law Cheryl (Ed) Vargas, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by his oldest brother Stan Sato.

A celebration of Terry’s life was held on March 30, 2026 at the Torrance High School Auditorium with a private family burial at Green Hills in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

Aloha ‘Oe dearest Terry…Until we meet again…

“Love you! Sweet dreams! Good night!”