Akira Morimoto
Obituary
Akira Morimoto, a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 91.
Akira was born on September 17, 1934, in Castroville, California, to Zeichiro "Jim" Morimoto and Yoshi (Tarui) Morimoto. Raised in a hardworking agricultural family as one of thirteen children, Akira learned the values of dedication, humility, and family early in life.
In 1942, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, seven-year-old Akira and his family were uprooted from their home in Castroville. They were detained at the Salinas Assembly Center before being incarcerated at the Poston Concentration Camp in Arizona (Camp 1, Block 17-4-BC). Despite the injustice and hardships of internment, the Morimoto family maintained an unbroken spirit-a quiet endurance and resilience that Akira carried with him for the rest of his life.
In August 1953, Akira proudly answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army. Serving with the 519th Ordnance Company, he earned the National Defense Service Medal before receiving his honorable discharge in 1956. His strong work ethic, modesty, and deep sense of responsibility remained defining traits throughout his civilian life.
A new and beautiful chapter of Akira's life began when he met and married Dulce Viera, who had immigrated to the United States from Portugal. Together, Akira and Dulce built a life centered around love, tradition, and strong family values, raising four children in a home filled with warmth and devotion.
Above all else, Akira was a family man. He took immense pride in his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter, finding his greatest joy in watching his family grow across generations.
Akira is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Dulce Morimoto; his daughters, Yoshi, Pamela and Sharon; his sons, Stacey and Scott; his cherished grandchildren, Bo, Elle, Robert, Alicia, Andrea, Quinn, Christopher, Christian, Naomi, Kenzo, Kira and Keanu; and finally his great-granddaughter, Finley Morimoto. He is also survived by his two remaining sisters, Kiki and Leslie, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members across the country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Zeichiro and Yoshi Morimoto, and ten of his siblings.
Akira was an anchor for his family-a steady, gentle presence whose strength, legacy, and memory will continue to live on in every generation he touched.
His Funeral service will be held at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10am, followed by the cemetery service at Valley Public Cemetery at 2445 E. Lake Ave in Watsonville at 12pm.
Published in The Pajaronian · August 19, 2026