Brent Y. Tanamachi

Brent Y. Tanamachi

April 9, 1969 – November 6, 2021

Our beloved, Brent Yoshio Tanamachi, a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, unexpectedly passed away November 6, 2021. 

Born in Redwood City, California on April 9th, 1969, Brent spent his childhood years playing little league baseball and basketball for the San Mateo Youth Basketball Association and the Japanese Youth Organization.  In his formative years, he began his love of music by learning to play the guitar, piano and clarinet.

As a young adult, Brent went on to complete his Bachelors of Science in Zoology at the University of California at Davis.  After graduating, Brent followed in his father’s footsteps and became involved with news broadcasting. In 1998, he flew out to Columbus, Georgia to become a Sports Reporter and Anchor for WRBL News Programming for 2 years.  Afterwards, Brent left the world of news to become a College Pastor at Cascade Hills Church for 5 years. In 2006, Brent returned back to the Bay Area to be closer to family. In California, Brent became an Aflac Insurance Agent and assisted people and companies with their insurance and benefit policies.  After 14 years of working in the insurance industry, Brent decided to leave this formal profession to become an ukulele teacher and musician. Brent also sat on the Board of Directors at the Japanese American Community Center in San Mateo and was involved with the children’s ministry at Menlo Church.

In his spare time, Brent loved cultivating plants, especially different species of chrysanthemums, and harvesting his fruit trees. He enjoyed attending sporting events (baseball, basketball, football, and UFC Fights) with his close friends and family.  Brent especially loved spending time with his nieces, playing freeze tag and sword fights, and allowing them to tinker with his many musical instruments. 

Brent touched many people by sharing and teaching his love of music.  He was kind, generous, and patient.  Brent will be greatly missed, especially by his three nieces. 

Brent is preceded in death by his beloved father, Charles Y. Tanamachi. He is survived by his mother June Tanamachi, his brother Roger and sister-in-law Madeline, nieces Maiyumi, Keira, and Aila, Uncle Howard and Aunt Nadine Yokoyama, Aunt Marcie Yokoyama, and his cousins.

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