Tommy Mukai

May 08, 1913 - July 24, 2010

Tommy Mukai Obituary Tommy Mukai was born in Kingston, Washington, on May 8, 1913. He was the second of six children born to farmers Otosuke and Sawano Mukai. Tommy attended Kingston High School and upon graduation moved to Juneau, Alaska. He was a commercial fisherman and also ran a cab business. When WWII started, he was sent to Minidoka internment camp for Japanese located in Idaho. In 1943, Tommy moved to Stevensville, Montana, and later settled in Spokane, Washington. There he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a mail handler for 32 years and worked a gardening business simultaneously. He had three major hobbies: fishing, gardening, and huckleberry picking. He also enjoyed traveling and cruises. Tommy married Shigeko Asai and together had two sons: Bryan and Larry. Bryan was killed during the Vietnam War, preceded him in death in 1968. At the time of Tommy's death, he and his wife had been married for 65 years. Tommy is survived by wife Shigeko, who lives in Spokane; son Larry, daughter-in-law Susan, and granddaughter Elizabeth, who live in Aloha, Oregon. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Tamae Tabuchi (Henry), Haru Mukai, Kimi Mukai, Kae Asai, and brother-in-law Kiso Kosai. Tommy has numerous surviving nieces and nephews. The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Daniel Coulston and staff, Moran Vista and staff, Waterford and staff, and Drs. Goldberg and Silverstein. Tommy Mukai's service will be held on Saturday, August 7, at 2 pm at Highland Park United Methodist Church (611 South Garfield St.) with Reverend Kevin Dow officiating, burial service following at Spokane Memorial Garden.