Kenji Oyanagi

Age 98, died peacefully of natural causes on December 29, 2020.   Born in Tacoma, WA and interned in the Tule Lake Relocation Center during World War II.  Graduated from Hamline University and the University of Minnesota.  Kenji worked for the YMCA for several years and spent the rest of his career in the St. Paul Public School system as a teacher at Chelsea Heights and Farnsworth Elementary schools and principal at Como Elementary.  In retirement he reported for a three month temporary assignment at Fortis and later received a ten year service award. Known as Kempie within the Oyanagi family and among Tacoma folks, he is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Akimi; daughter Lynn; son Steven (Carol); and extended family. Private family service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Kenji and Akimi Oyanagi Endowed Scholarship at Hamline University.  Memorials can be mailed to Hamline University Institutional Advancement, MS-C1917, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 or made by phone at 651-523-2217.