Joe Sueoka

Joe Sueoka, loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 26, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born on October 19, 1931, in Tooele, Utah and was the last surviving child of Tokusaku and Kame Sueoka. He met his soulmate and partner Mary Louise (Shimata) Sueoka whom he married on July 10, 1960 and together raised three children.

Joe enjoyed growing up with his siblings and share farming in Layton, Utah. He attended Davis High School. After graduation he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Returning from Korea, Joe studied in Salt Lake City and received his associate’s degree in accounting. He retired after working for more than 34 years for a large defense contractor, Sperry Univac (now L3Harris Technologies).

In his early days of retirement, Joe and Mary Louise traveled the world with a group of longtime friends. When they were not away traveling, Joe was a dedicated bowler in the Japanese American Nisei League and another senior bowling league. He enjoyed joining his friends weekly at Classic and Bonwood Bowling Alleys. He also took up golf and enjoyed using his handyman and woodworking skills. In his woodshop, Joe would repurpose wood scraps and create beautiful handmade objects for his friends and family members. He used his handyman skills on bigger house remodeling projects and even designed and built a playhouse for his granddaughters.

Until the end, Joe was an adoring and loving companion to his wife Mary Louise. Married 64 years, he was a dedicated protector, provider and supporter of the family goals and wishes. Joe instilled a work ethic in his three children and was proud of their accomplishments. He later focused on spoiling his four grandchildren with love and support by spending time attending sports events, dance recitals and school programs. Joe enjoyed family vacations with the kids and grandkids and made lasting memories for them with international travel, cruises, long weekend get aways, and sleepovers.

Joe is survived by his wife Mary Louise Sueoka, his children Greg (Theresa Mori) Sueoka, Robin (Sonny) Puri, Kelly Sueoka (Curtis Woodworth), and four grandchildren, Maxwell and Josef Sueoka, and Amber and Alison Puri. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Alice Okouchi, Betsy Tominaga, Charles (June) Shimata, and Robert Nishimura. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rhu (Sumiko) Sueoka and sisters Grace (Seiko) Kasai, Kyoko (Isamu) Tanabe, Sumiko (Ted) Fujiki, Akiko (Yosh) Kato, Lillian Sueoka, and JoAnn Sueoka, and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Harry Okouchi, Harry/Tonto (Kathleen) Shimata, Fred Tominaga, and Diane Nishimura.

A graveside service will be held on October 19th at 2:00 pm at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery (3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121). Casual attire is welcome.

Following the burial, the family would like to invite all to a Celebration of Life Open House at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East from 3:30-5:30 PM. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building for complimentary valet parking.

Floral arrangements in memory of Joe Sueoka may be sent to Starks Funeral Parlor by noon on October 19th.