It is a sad task indeed to have to relay that Sensei Henry K. Okamura passed
away yesterday evening at 9:25. He was experiencing difficulty breathing
earlier in the day and was taken to the hospital. His passing brought an end to
his valiant struggle to recover from his stroke of 12 years ago.
Along the way Sensei has overcome bouts of pneumonia, numerous infections and
cancer, but continued on with various therapies through the 24-7, loving care of
his wife Mitzi.
Originally the student of Murakami Sensei in California, Okamura Sensei was a
rising star player who became the 180 lb. national champion for four years
straight in the days before they had the narrow weight classes of today.
Okamura Sensei was one of the charter members of the Chicago Judo Yudansha-kai
and through his untiring leadership through the many years as its president,
Chicago Judo garnered worldwide recognition for the quality of its teachers and
competitors. One indicator of promotion time in Chicago was the increased
attendance by hopeful judoka at Sensei's numerous clubs, seeking to polish their
knowledge and technique before the exam. Sensei would always have time for
anyone who approached him, so much so that many judoka could claim to be a
student of Okamura Sensei.
We judoka everywhere owe a great debt of gratitude to Okamura Sensei for his
lifetime achievements: for the rich history of our beginnings in Chicago to the
quality of our sensei from whom we learn from today, and for the privilege to be
a part of one of the most respected yudansha-kais both nationally and
worldwide. This brief text cannot do justice in protraying Sensei's
contribution not only to the technical side of the sport of Judo, but to the
countless many young lives of students of Judo whose character and sportsmanship
development benefitted from the life teachings that would follow the exposure to
his example.
Judoka everywhere send their sincere respect and condolences to Sensei's wife
Mitzi, Henry Okamura, Jr. (Leslie), daughter Bonnie, and grand children Mark,
William, Donna.
Service arrangements are as follows:
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Visitation: 5:00 - 7:00 PM Funeral: 7:30 PM
Lake View Funeral Home
1458 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60657
773-472-6300
