Donald Takeo Uno

Donald Takeo “Tuck” Uno, 94, passed away in the comfort of his home during the early evening hours of Sunday, May 14, 2023 in Carson, CA. He led a long and fulfilled life, surrounded by the love of his family in his final days.

Donald was born on January 16, 1929 in Ault, Colorado. He was the youngest of ten children of Kohei and Suzu (Yasutake) Uno. He loved playing poker at the casinos and at family gatherings, going to the horse races, tending to his vegetable and flower gardens, golfing, dancing at the VFW with his Japanese dance group, and watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren grow and play around him.

Growing up with his 9 brothers and sisters, Donald lived a very modest life, and learned the value of hard work, sacrifice, and family. From childhood, his brothers and sisters all had to help out by working on the family’s farm, they regularly dined on home grown radishes (daikon) and rice, and they stock-piled and froze their crops in the ground in order to shine them up and sell them at the local markets throughout the cold, Colorado winters. Upon becoming an adult, he joined the U.S. Army where he honorably served in the Korean War. He then moved to Southern California where he raised his 4 children with his wife, Elsie, and then retired from his career as an engineer at Northrop Grumman.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elsie, his nine brothers and sisters, Hirato, Carrie, Harry, Tomoji “Moe”, Uri, Yasuo, Dick, Tachi, and James, and his great grandson, Avery. He is survived by his children, Mark, Gail, Craig, and Scott, his grandchildren, Ryan, Crystal, Michelle, Elizabeth, Mikey, DJ, and Keelia, and his great-grandchildren, Caydan, Josiah, Liam, Ariella, Alejo, Yumi, Jeriah, Elise, and Ayla.

Donald’s legacy will carry on for generations to come, as he instilled so many values and life lessons within his family. His life impacted so many, and his loss is deeply felt amongst those who love him.