Tatsui Sato, husband, father, grandfather, Japanese LDS pioneer, scholar, scientist and leader, ended his mortal journey on June 15, 1996.
Born in Aichi Ken, Japan, on Oct. 16, 1899, to Magoichi and Tai Mizuta Sato, he became a consummate scholar, obtaining a degree in chemical science.He became one of the first converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan after World War II. He immediately put his wonderful intellect and facility for language to work and, under the tutelage of the spirit, became the official translator for the church's Tokyo mission, translating the Standard Works, Talmage's Articles of Faith and Jesus the Christ and numerous other church publications, thus building a communication bridge across which missionaries have reached thousands of new converts.
Tatsui's wife, Chiyo Akizuki, shared his remarkable journey for 35 years until her death in October of 1958, leaving Tatsui and their son, Yasuo. Their daughter, Atsuko preceded her mother in death, at age 3.
As a visiting professor at Brigham Young University teaching Japanese and comparative religions, he met and married Tomiko Hiranishi in July of 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they became dedicated and talented genealogists providing untold hours of voluntary service to other church members in their personal family history quest while holding full-time jobs for the genealogical society.
He became a naturalized, committed citizen of the United States; a sealer in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, served in the Branch Presidency of the Dai Ichi Branch and, after retiring, he and Tomiko served as temple missionaries in the newly constructed Tokyo LDS Temple.
He continued learning almost until his death. When age finally began to overtake him, Tomiko continued in her loving, patient and tender care for him, making him comfortable to the end.
He is survived by his wife, Tomiko; son, Yasuo and his wife, Minako Sato of Tokyo, Japan; his sister, Fuyu of Shizuoka Ken, Japan; his adopted daughter, Michiko, her husband Douglas Matsumori and their children, Christian, Dylan (currently serving in the Sao Paolo Interlagos Brazil Mission); Misa, Devin and Derek of Sandy, Utah; his adopted son, Koji Sato and his wife, Karen, and their children, Amy, Joshua, Brett and Jared.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Shizuhiko, and sister, Saku.
He is survived by an eternal legacy, leaving behind him spiritually guided, deeply thoughtful and rich literary Japanese translations of the words of prophets, seers, revelators and of the Savior.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 1996, in the Dai Ichi Ward (Granite Tabernacle), 2005 South 900 East. Friends may call at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the ward chapel on Wednesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Elysian Burial Gardens.
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