Joseph Masao 'Mub' Aoki1930 ~ 2013On May 25th, 2013, the Aoki family bade farewell to one of our most colorful members. Joseph Masao 'Mub' Aoki passed away at the age of 82 after a period of deteriorating health issues. 'Mub' was born June 10, 1930 to Chojiro Peter Aoki and Toyo Mayebayashi, the 10th of 11 children.'Mub' was raised on a farm near the fairgrounds in Salt Lake City and not only cultivated fruits and veggies, but also a unique strain of himself steeped in a foundation of humor, honor, loyalty, and charity. During his High School years at West High, he established a colorful following of fellow students, both boys and girls, as 'Mr. Sinatra' because of his marvelous singing voice. His talent for this was germinated on the Farm because of his self-defensive yelling and hollering at both animals and siblings. Voted as the best-dressed male of his senior class, he lit up the halls of West High with his wavy hair and Hollywood style. After graduation from High School 'Mub' worked alongside older brothers in the wholesale produce business. Then just prior to his college years at Westminster College, 'Mub' was drafted into the Military. True to his heritage of father Chojiro, 'Mub' won the assignment as a Chaplains Assistant. Later, he developed an active career as a business consultant and Manufacturers Rep. 'Mub' was an avid sportsman throughout his life and was an enthusiastic student and fan of basketball, baseball, football, and golf. He loved the outdoors and was an ardent fisherman with a tackle box that was the envy of any fisherman. He treasured his time with family and friends and enjoyed many memorable family trips particularly road-trips in the mobile home. He took enormous pride in his family and all of their accomplishments. But perhaps most of all, 'Mub' will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, tremendous generosity and enormous heart. Whether you were one of his closest friends or a stranger in need, 'Mub' was always there to help.'Mub' is survived by his loving wife, Doris Skiby Aoki, sons Dr. Kim, Dean (Michele), and Dr. Vincent (Christa), daughter Nancy, former wife Kaye O. Aoki, grandchildren Ben, Atticus, Clara, Riley, and Madison. Also surviving are sister Ester 'Tsuyako' (Kayo) Kuratani, and brothers David 'Yukio' Aoki and Huch (Keiko) Aoki. 'Mub' was preceded in death by: Setsuko 'Mary' Saito, Chozo 'John' Aoki, Tatsuo 'James' Aoki, Kazuko 'Kay' Hayashi, Tadashi 'Tubb' Aoki, Isamu 'Sam' Aoki, Hideko 'Hide' Shiba. Surviving also are many nieces, nephews, and their children, cast over an extensive geographic area, inclusive of Utah, Colorado, Washington, Chicago, Ohio, New York, Costa Rica and Nagano and Ueda Japan, and Maseru, Lesotho.Memorial Service will be held Sunday June 2, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Mortuary Estates 5850 S. 900 East. Visitation with the family will begin one hour prior to the service.
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