Kathy Yoshioka

Kathy Lynn Yoshioka, age 53, passed away on June 30th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and close friends in Torrance, California.

Kathy was born on September 28th, 1970, in Torrance, California, she was the daughter of Lucy Yoshioka and the late George Yoshioka. She graduated from Torrance High School in 1988 and continued her studies at Chapman University and California State University Dominguez Hills. She earned her customs broker license in 2001 on her first attempt.

Kathy dedicated over 25 years to the import-export industry. She spent over 20 of those years at Yusen Logistics, where she started as a temporary employee full of potential and earned numerous promotions and awards. She is remembered by coworkers as intelligent, hardworking, and an overall amazing coworker and mentor. She climbed the ranks from a temporary position at Yusen as a billing clerk, to Entry Writer, Air Import Manager, Assistant Branch Manager of the LAX Branch, Business Analyst for Quality and Governance, and finally Manager of Quality and Governance. As a customs broker, she played a critical role in the safety and security of importing and exporting goods for the Port of Los Angeles and in her final role, she conducted numerous audits to ensure compliance across all domestic Yusen Logistics branches.

Kathy is remembered by friends as outgoing, easy to connect to, and most of all caring. She had a kind and generous heart that would go to the ends of the Earth for those that she loved. Her laugh was infectious, she was always down to grab a drink, or eager to try new restaurants. Known by many people as the “crazy lady,” Kathy was always someone you can count on and who you wanted in your corner. She was a loyal friend, a big foodie, and always the life of the party.

Kathy’s world centered around the pride that she had for her daughters and always posted their accomplishments via social media. She spent much of her time watching them play softball, being their biggest cheerleaders and supporting them in their times of need. She was a great listener and a fierce advocate for her daughters. Kathy worked every day to be the best mom that she could be. She is remembered by her daughters as a “cool mom,” who always gave great advice. The impact that she has left on her daughters and everyone that knew her is everlasting.

She is survived by her mother, Lucy Yoshioka, her eldest daughter, Kayla Yoshioka and wife, Lauren Yoshioka, her youngest daughter, Kristyn Whitlock, and niece, Keiko Yoshioka and her partner, Javier Vega, and great-nephew, Xavier Vega, and great-niece, Kaida Vega. A public memorial and burial will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park, S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 90275 on July 13th, 2024. Memorial will begin at 2:00 pm at the Green Hills Memorial Park Chapel. The burial will follow at 3:15 pm, where Kathy will be laid to rest with her father, George, grandmother, Toshie, and grandfather, Tadashi. A private reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LA Dodgers Foundation.