Tamio "Tom" Ueda

Tamio Ueda was born on February 15, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah, in what used to be Japantown. He passed on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at home in Bountiful, Utah sometime in the early morning from causes incident to his age.
Tamio was the first son of Miyoshi Ueda and Tsubomi Murakami.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Eugene, Kenry and Theodore.  Tamio is survived by an elder sister, Masumi Takenachi (Jiro) and sister, Jane Shiroma (George). Unknown is the status of the youngest brother, Gohay.  (The name Ueda is pronounced wed-a).
Tamio graduated from West High School in 1941.  He began military service September 1, 1944.  He served in the US Army 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Military Intelligence Service.  He served as basic Infantry, then rifleman and finished as a Military Police.  He guarded supply trains as well as German prisoners on work details. He completed his service in November 1946.  Citations include – European African Middle Eastern Theater ribbon with 2 Bronze battle stars,  Army of Occupation Medal, Germany Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and finally in 2012 the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the 442, the most decorated Regiment in all of US military service history.
After the war, Tamio received technical training in Chicago for radio and television electronics, becoming certified to work in these fields.  He worked several odd jobs before landing a job in his field of training with the Civil Service as a technical writer at Hill Air Force Base where he worked for the Air Force Logistics Command from 1954 until his retirement in 1989, 34 years total.
Post-war life for Tamio was difficult. In his early service he saw many dear friends killed in battle, his best friend right next to him.  Upon his return he was scorned and worse because he was Japanese. Thankfully, in 1953 he met the love of his life, Eva Mae Bernard.  Of Eva he often said, "she saved my life".  This was a love that lasted until Eva passed away in 2000. For many years they would go dancing at the old Terrace Ballroom every Tuesday evening, Sundays were spent eating  brunch at the Little America Coffee Shop or "Tom" would bring Kentucky Fried chicken home and Eva would bake a pie or collard greens or macaroni and shrimp salad.  They never married because it was illegal for a white woman to marry a man from a different race in the early years. Though the laws changed they remained apart, living in separate homes and separate lives. Theirs was truly "A love affair to remember," and a beautiful example of true devotion.
The family extends special thanks to Nannette Bernard for her care and constant concern for Tom's well being for many, many years, taking Tom to medical appointments, having him over for holiday dinners and many other dinners and basically tending to every need. Tamio was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Funeral services will  be held Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, at 1:00 pm. A viewing will be held before the funeral between 11:45 am and 12:45pm.  Tamio Ueda will receive full military rights following the funeral at Bountiful City Cemetery.