Paul Isamu Yoshihara Sr.
Paul Yoshihara, Sr
Paul Isamu Yoshihara Sr. died peacefully in Snohomish, in early January 2018 at the age of 75.
Paul is survived by his wife, Laura Yoshihara; children, Krista Zimmerman, Edgar Yoshihara, Elizabeth Bostrom, Kyla Diffenderfer, Paul Yoshihara Jr., Sarah Yoshihara and Lorrelle Klinger; siblings, Yukio (Bob) Yoshihara, Aiko (Kay) Abe, Emiko (Emi) Ambo, Takeshi (Tak) Yoshihara, Yoshiko Florence Fujiwara and John Nobuyoshi Yoshihara. He is preceded in death by his brother Mitsuru (George) Yoshihara.
Paul was born on July 21, 1942 in Portland, Oregon, to Buichi and Kotoyo Yoshihara. He was the seventh of eight children. His birth took place at the Portland Assembly Center during the displacement of the Japanese during World War II. The family spent 4 months in Portland before being moved to extremely harsh conditions at Minidoka in Idaho, where they lived for the next 3 years.
After World War II, the Yoshihara family moved to the Renton Highlands and attended the Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle. Both parents worked to provide for their family during the post-war recovery period. Paul attended Cleveland High School and 
later graduated from The University of Washington with a doctorate in Sociology.
Paul married Laura Atkinson, a Christian school administrator and a mother of three young children, in 1979. They purchased their home on Ruggs Lake in Everett and had four additional children. He was a faithful husband who loved our Heavenly Father and always gave 100 percent to any task at hand. Paul and Laura shared an interest in gardening and participated in many interesting projects in the northwest, including The Flower & Garden Show.
Paul was interested in drama, art, dance, research, sports and travel. He spent a lot of time hiking and encouraged this love of the outdoors in all of his children. Paul once enjoyed a three-month bicycle journey through Washington and British Columbia. Travel destinations visited include Japan, Israel, Mexico, the Caribbean and Alaska, among others.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 3, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 2053 152 Ave NE in Redmond, with a reception to follow. Pastor Joe Yoshihara will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul’s life.
11 Responses to “Paul Isamu Yoshihara Sr.”
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My husband and I both attended Highline College in the mid-70’s. Dr. Yoshihara was one of our favorite instructors. His lectures inspired us and we loved that he conducted them outside on the lawn on sunny days. That always stayed with us after all these years. So sorry for your loss. He died much too young.
I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the yoshihari family on the death Paul, their beloved husband, father and grandfather.
I especially offer condolences to Edgar,Laurie and children.
From your cousin Geraldine in Tipperary Ireland.
We are so sorry for your huge loss. Are thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To Laurie, Sarah and the entire Yoshihara family,
I was stunned to see Paul’s obituary in the paper today. He was a kind, beautiful man and such a hard worker – like the other “Yoshihara’s” I’ve had the pleasure of meeting through the last twenty-some years – while working tirelessly in the rain or hot sun to make our property as beautiful as it can be. I enjoyed many conversations with Paul while sitting down at our pool here at Mariner Manor. It was always a pleasure to speak with him.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Laurie McEachern
Paul was a classmate of mine at Cleveland Hugh School in Seattle and at the University of Washington. He was a kind, thoughtful man. His passing leaves a deep hole. My sincerest condolences to his family.
–Jean Whitcomb, Seattle
To the Laura and all the kids, I am so sorry for your loss. I have many good memories of the time I spent with you early on. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We send our love and encouragement to all the family. May the Lord bless and comfort you and provide for your every need.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I enjoyed meeting Paul at Ben and Kyla’s wedding.
May the peace that passes understanding keep your family during this difficult time.
Hello Laura and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Paul from church in the 70’s and we became friends. He was quiet, strong, and thoughtful, but knew how to laugh. I remember he would raise his eyebrows on points he felt strongly about. We had some good conversations and it’s vague but, I think we may have played a little tennis. He was actually a groomsman in my wedding in 79 and I remember visiting at your house in Everett later. He also helped with some landscaping in the early 80’s at a house I had purchased. He is good man and I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. Thank you for sharing about his early life.
Our thoughts are with you today. God bless each one of you. Steven and Marcia
Daddy you are missed today and everyday that passes.
I remember you taking me to see the Seahawks win the Super Bowl
In Everett And how you wanted to sit in the front seat at the movie theatre because your eyes were all scratched from years of landscaping debris falling on them. So with a little kink in my neck we both stood in there staring at the big screen. When the Game was won you jumped up and down all excited and happy. I’m so thankful that I will always have that memory.
You also encouraged me to just go one more time, even though I wanted to quit Snowboarding for good after a very ruff first season. At age 13 and here I am 36 and still driving up to the mountains Snowboarding!
Your work ethics and love for me is still felt. Love you!
Hugs your beauty Queen Sarah