Dorothy Miyeko Obata

Dorothy Miyeko Obata (1933-2025)

Dorothy Miyeko Obata, 92, of Gardena, California, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, after complications from injuries caused by a fall.

Miyeko was born June 23, 1933 in Dominguez Hills (Los Angeles County), California, one of three daughters of father Kageyoshi (Keishu) Kobayashi and mother, Toki Tsuchiya.

While still an infant, Miyeko relocated to Japan where she lived her childhood and attended elementary and high school. In 1952, at the age of 19, Miyeko returned to the United States to live temporarily with her sister’s (Lily’s) family in Chicago, Illinois. There, she met her future husband, George Obata, and they were married on July 17, 1955. They had one son, Kenneth, who was born in 1956 in Chicago.

In 1960, Miyeko and her family moved to California where her husband worked for Hughes Aircraft Company. Shortly thereafter, they bought a house in Gardena in which Miyeko lived for the rest of her life. Her husband and son were active members of the Gardena Judo Club. Her husband was also active in community activities, and her son played electric bass in a rock band. Miyeko volunteered for many years at Keiro Nursing Home near her house assisting the patients. She also worked part-time at the Pit Burger. Miyeko was a member of the Holiness Church in Los Angeles. In the last few years of her life, Miyeko lived in the comfort of her own house being well-cared for by her caregivers.

Miyeko was a quiet, unassuming person who cared deeply about other people. She travelled many times to Japan to reunite with old friends and relatives. Miyeko was quite adept at the art of origami and could create complex, paper objects with ease.

Remaining to cherish Miyeko’s memory are her stepbrother, Hideo Uematsu, and nieces (Yuriko Mio, Yumiko Masuda, and Chieko Ishikawa in Japan and her nephews, Donald and David Terao, in the United States. Preceding Miyeko in death are husband, George; son, Kenneth; and sisters, Lily Terao and Haruko Uematsu.

A grave-site memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 12:30pm at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 with the Reverend Makito Takagi officiating.