Terumasa "Ted" Oka

January 6, 1927 - June 18, 2023

Ted, 96, passed away peacefully at his home. Born in Watsonville, CA, to Shutaro Oka and Ariyo Itano - the 7th of eight boys. After his mother's death at the age of 4, he moved with his father to Japan. He attended elementary and agricultural high school before moving to Manchuria China for work. While in China he was drafted by the Japanese army at the near end of WW II and served only 3 days. During the war his family was separated between Asia and America. After the war his older brother encouraged him to return to the US. He went to Chicago for a few years. He was drafted into the US Army for the Korean War, serving two years in the infantry. Upon returning to California he went to LA Trade Junior College on the GI Bill. He was hired by the Los Angeles City Department of Airports as an architectural draftsman where he worked for 30 years before retiring in 1989. Around the time he began his career, he was and remained a very devoted member of the Konko Church of Los Angeles. There he met Peggy, the love of his life and wife of 45 years. Once retired he became a bonsai master - his back yard was filled with beautiful pieces of "moving art" as he would say. He was a member of the Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai and the California Bonsai Society - his work was shown at The Huntington Gardens Bonsai exhibits and photographed extensively for periodicals and books. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy Toshie, his parents Shutaro Oka and Ariyo Itano, 7 brothers, Hajime, Isao, Masao, Don Chikara, Takeo, Teiji, and Dan Hidekazu.

He is survived by his son Marc and son-in-law JP.

A celebration of life will be held 11am, Monday, July 17, 2023 at Konko Church of Gardena 15722 Normandie Ave Gardena CA 90247. Burial will be private.

www.fukuimortuary.com (213) 626-0441