Glenn Ryoji Yamada's Obituary
Glenn Ryoji Yamada passed away at the age of 72 on August 6, 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was the youngest of four children born to Hitomi (d. 1995) and Alice Yamada (d. 2004) on February 5, 1950. Glenn grew up in Kaimuki and graudated from Kalani High School in 1968. He served his country in the US Army Reserves 411th Engineering Battalion. Through his skilled trade of auto body & fender repair, he found employment at Tradewind Transportation Company, where he met and married Renee (Kihara) Yamada in 1976. Together, Glenn and Renee moved to Kaneohe where they raised their two daughters. Glenn later worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic in the Body Shop for Oahu Transit Service (formerly known as Mass Transit Line) for 33 years.
Glenn will always be known for his fun-loving personality and genuine aloha for all. He loved his family, immediate and extended, and also his friends. He was naturally artistic, and designed the city bus for the annual Honolulu City and County Christmas Light parade since 1990. He created beautiful fish sculptures and made fishing lures that was sold at J & E Fishing Supply. He was an expert fisherman! You would often find him on his kayak with a prized catch of o’io, papi’o, and moi off Waikiki, Hawaii Kai, or Sand Island. He never hesitated to share what he caught with others or make his ono fishcakes! But above all, he found his greatest joy in his three grandchildren. He was their babysitter every day of their lives and created many “Papa Adventures” at Tiny Tots, Disneyland, and at home.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Renee; daughters; Michelle (Jason) Kaneshiro, and Tracie; three grand-children, Ariana, Aiden, and Aaron. He also leaves behind his brother; Michael (Debbie) Yamada, and many loving extended family members.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents and sister’s, Rachel Minakami and Janet Yamada.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Diamond Head Mortuary on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12PM. Visitation will be from 11AM-12PM.
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