Thomas Dean Mukogawa

 Thomas Dean Mukogawa a resident of Independence, Missouri, formerly of Los Angeles passed away early, Thursday at 5:42 a.m., Feb. 15, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, where he had been admitted on Tuesday, Feb. 13th.

 Tom was born on July 14, 1953, in Los Angeles, the son of Katherine Toshiye Miyagishima, and David Mukogawa. He was a member of the Koyasan Boy Scouts of America, troop 379, and traveled with them in the Summer of 1968 as part of the "Japan Goodwill Tour". Thomas attended Fern Elementary School and was a member of the San Gabriel Valley High School Graduating Class of 1971.

Tom is survived by his wife Suzanne (Edwards) Mukogawa of Independence, a son, Jason (Aubrey) Mukogawa of Oakley Ca. and a daughter Arwen (Phil) also of Independence, and 7 grandchildren;  Kaiah and Chandler Mukogawa, Arabella, Eli, and, Kenny Ginter and Alaska and Gabriela Walker. A sister, Susan (Thomas) Graham of Walnut, Ca.,  his father, David Mukogawa of Diamond Bar, Ca., his uncle George and aunt Charlotte of Cerritos, Ca., his aunt Julia of Pingree Idaho, his aunt Diane of Midvale, Utah, son in law William Ginter, and an endeared childhood buddy, and confidant Alan Ogata of San Gabriel. Tom was predeceased by his mother Kathy in Dec 2007, a daughter Star Ginter in March of 2023, and his uncles, Paul and Carl Miyagishima and Warren Wada.   

Tom loved playing baseball as a kid and was an avid fisherman and gun enthusiast. He was a past president of The Golden Kings Gunclub that shot at Pachmayr International Shooting Sports Park in South El Monte, California, adjacent to the 60 freeway. 

Tom remembered fondly working on his aunt Julia and uncle Warren's farm in Idaho during summers as a kid. It was there that he earned his first paychecks which he saved and purchased his first motorcycle.

Tom was also a member of the Southern California United Food and Commercial Workers Union of Los Angeles for 30 years and had worked as a meat cutter for over 45 years. He started his career when he was a young man as an apprentice at Beaches Market in South San Gabriel.

Tom was a kind and gentle lover of dogs and had many of them throughout his life. His last pet was another Rottweiler named Gary. 

Tom moved to Missouri in 2004 and worked as a meat cutter until retirement. He was a loyal friend and an endeared husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother who will be sorely missed by his family.

Funeral arrangements are being handled at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, in Independence Missouri.