Kazuo Shitama's Obituary
Kazuo Shitama was born in Seattle, Washington in 1921, the only son of Kitaro and Sada Shitama and the second of five children. He graduated with a BS from the University of Washington in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after being interned at the Minnedoka Relocation Center in Idaho. He served in the 441st Counter Intelligence Corps of the U.S. occupation forces in post WWII Japan. He served a distinguished career with the National Security Agency where he was a charter member of the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service and the Dean of the Language Department for the National Cryptology School. Upon his retirement in 1985, he received the Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the highest honor given to a civil servant.
Kaz loved fishing, bridge, poker, sports, playing harmonica, traveling, the Washington Redskins and dancing the jitterbug with his beloved Tayeko, his wife of 63 years. He was a devoted husband and father, as well as a fantastic cook. He had a clever and irreverent wit, and was a joy to be around. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Rubi Aoki. In addition to Tayeko, his is survived by three sisters, Eiko Kurimura, Pat Saito and Lily Shitama, all of Seattle, Washington. He is survived by three children and their spouces, Glenn & Celeste Shitama, Yumi & Paul Jarris and Jack & Jodi Shitama. Kaz is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Ben, Noah, Mariko, Zach and Miya Shitama; Alison, Mari and Daniel Jarris; Megan, Erin, Kieron and Kellan Shitama, as well as seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11am in the Norair Hall, BayWoods of Annapolis, 7101 Bayfront Drive, Annapolis, Maryland. Inurnment will be private at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations can be sent in lieu of flowers to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
For online condolences please visit www.LastingTributesFuneralCare.com
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