Tomio Miyawaki, 97, passed away peacefully at home in Culver City, California on Tuesday June 29, 2021. Tom was born in Clearfield, Utah on January 29, 1924 to Yozo and Matsuyo (Oye) Miyawaki of Japan. He was the second son in a family of seven children (Hideo, Tomio, Ayako, Yasuko, Ken, Masako and Sachi). He married Mitsuko (Mitzi) Tsuchii in October of 1955, and they had two sons, Stanley (b.1956) and David (b.1960).

As a child and teenager, Tom worked long hours on the family farm. He graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah in 1942. In the Fall of 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was called to active duty towards the end of World War II. He was stationed at the Presidio in Monterey, California in August 1945 when the war with Japan ended. On Christmas Eve of that year, Tom shipped out for overseas duty in Japan as part of the U.S. military's post-war occupation. While in Japan, Tom saw the destruction and rubble of Tokyo. But it also gave him an opportunity to visit with relatives in the town of Kayama during the summer of 1946.

After the war, Tom enrolled at the University of Utah with funds that he received from the G.I. Bill. He would graduate with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Pharmacy, and receive his Utah Pharmacy license in 1953. His first professional job was working for a local pharmacy in Layton, Utah. Tom soon moved to Los Angeles with the hope of improved opportunities, and eventually worked for the Thrifty Drug Store chain (now Rite Aid) for over 30 years, becoming one of the company's most loyal and respected pharmacists.

While living in an apartment building near downtown Los Angeles, Tom met Mitsuko Tsuchii. They married in 1955, and moved to the west side of Los Angeles, to the suburb of Culver City. Their first child, Stanley, was born in 1956. In 1959, they were forced to move due to an act of eminent domain in which the city bought their house in order to make way for a new flood control channel. Today, there is a small community garden park that sits on part of that property (appropriate, since Tom was an avid gardener).

David, a second son, was born in 1960, and the family spent many years in their new home that was only a few blocks from the original house.

Over the years, Tom enjoyed gardening, country music (especially George Strait), and trips to Las Vegas. Tom and Mitzi would often vacation in Las Vegas with Mitzi's sister, Hisako Shintaku, and her husband George. Tom liked to say that his favorite place to stay was the Flamingo Hotel because "they have the best view of the Bellagio Lake fountain show".

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Mitsuko Miyawaki; sons Stanley Miyawaki, Santa Monica, CA and David Miyawaki, Culver City, CA; sisters Yasuko Shiba, Clearfield, UT, Masako Hardwick, Las Vegas, NV, Sachi Kawabata (Richard), Bountiful, UT; sister-in-law Toshiko Miyawaki, Clearfield, UT; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by Father, Yozo Miyawaki; Mother, Matsuyo Oye Miyawaki; Brother, Hideo (Amy, deceased) Miyawaki; Sister, Ayako (Yoshihisa, deceased) Ugaki; Brother, Ken Miyawaki.