NJAMF Fondly Remembers and Mourns the Loss of Warren Minami

The National Japanese American Memorial Foundation fondly remembers and mourns the loss of Warren Nori Minami. Warren passed away in Bethesda, Maryland, on January 9, 2022, at the age of 83.

Warren served on the board and as Chair of the Foundation in the 1990s through the 2000s. He led the organization after the Memorial was built and established on the mall in Washington, DC. His leadership brought a new perspective to the Foundation.  He diversified the board, enthusiastically supported efforts to publicize the importance of the Memorial, and sought fresh funding sources for future endeavors.

Warren was born on April 21, 1938, in San Francisco, California, to Dr. Henry K. Minami and Claire F. Minami. He is survived by his wife, Carol A. Henry-Minami; his children, Wayde R. Minami (Christie), Kristine M. Minami (John Conger), W. Douglas Minami, Peter C. Puleio II, Stephanie M. Puleio (Aaron Whittier), Susan A. Puleio (Larry Shea) and Carla M. Minami; brothers, Wayne H. Minami (Arlene) and W.D. “Denny” Minami (Ida); and six grandchildren.

As a child during World War II, Warren was incarcerated with other Japanese Americans at the Gila River Relocation Center in Arizona. After being released from the camp in 1943, his family moved to Detroit and then settled in Washington, D.C. Warren is an alumnus of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. and San Jose State College in California. He won many awards in judo and was a member of the San Jose State judo team. He served as a U.S. Air Force officer from 1962 to 1965.

Having earned a Ph.D. in business administration from American University, Warren was a retired senior executive with the International Monetary Fund.

Warren was active as a leader in the Japanese American community. He served as Chair of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, was on the board of governors of the Japanese American National Museum, and was appointed to the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. He was a longtime member of several organizations, including the Japanese American Citizens League and the Japanese American Veterans Association.

He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, and community leader who will be greatly missed.

An online memorial service is planned for Sunday, January 30, at 2:00 pm (EST). Please visit https://www.forevermissed.com/warren-minami/ for memorial information and to share remembrances.

In lieu of flowers or koden, donations may be made to the renal transplant unit of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (https://www.nyp.org/giving, select “other” and designate “renal transplant unit”), the San Jose State judo program (https://giving.sjsu.edu/, designate “judo program” in the specific instructions or select “choose a giving opportunity” and search for “judo”), or a charity of the donor’s choice.

MEMORIES OF WARREN NORI MINAMI

Melvin H. Chiogioji, RADM, USN (retired) and NJAMF Chair Emeritus:

“I was saddened to hear about the passing of Warren Minami.  He was a very good friend of more than 40 years.  Warren was instrumental in being a leader in the Japanese American community in the Washington DC area as well as nationwide.   He was instrumental in getting the NJAMF funded and built.  He was a tremendous support to the JACL as well as the community as well. He will be sorely missed.”  

Floyd Mori, current NJAMF Board Member and past National JACL President:

“Warren Minami was the kind of leader who understood what being a good citizen meant. He gave back to the community that had endured many of the hardships that people of color faced then and now. He was generous with his time, talents and resources.”

Larry Oda, NJAMF Chair Emeritus and past National JACL President:

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the untimely passing of our friend and Chair Emeritus of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, Dr. Warren N. Minami. Warren was very active not only in our community, but the community at large. He served on the Japanese American National Museum Board of Governors, the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, and many other professional and civic organizations. He will be known and remembered for giving back to the community and sharing his talents.

Warren was one of the original committee members who had the foresight to envision a National memorial to the Japanese American Experience. It was through his leadership that the community was able to realize this dream of having a space in the Nation’s capital to honor the memory of the sacrifice of the 120,000 Americans who gave their freedom for the benefit of the United States and of the 800 young men who gave their lives in defense of our country. We as an organization should celebrate his leadership and take the opportunity to remind everyone of the ideals he upheld, that we need to take up the reins of leadership to be the guiding light to fight for social justice and embrace the strength we have as a community to lead others to a more just society. Warren may no longer be with us physically, but he leaves a rich legacy and examples for all of us to live.”

John Tobe, current NJAMF Chair:

“All of us will miss Warren’s commitment to the Foundation and the greater community.  Thanks to Warren's vision and leadership, visitors of the Memorial will learn about the Nisei's sacrifices and patriotism for years to come. Warren’s activism extended to his family. His mother Claire, daughter Kristine, brothers Wayne and Denny, and sister-in-law Arlene have been integral parts of JACL, the Memorial Foundation, the Japanese American National Museum, and JAVA. The Foundation is proud to have Warren’s daughter Kristine as a current board member of the Memorial Foundation to carry on the tradition of service to the community.”

Dr. Craig Uchida, NJAMF Chair Emeritus:

“Warren brought in a new generation of board members and was intent on getting new ideas out of us. His passion, feistiness, and zeal about the wrongs of the incarceration and the heroism of the WWII Nisei veterans were unforgettable. I think his and his family’s experiences at Gila River drove his infectious desire to make the Memorial an important icon on the Mall.”

LINKS TO WARREN MINAMI’S LEGACY

https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/dr-warren-minami-legacy-of-the-japanese-american-incarceration/
https://www.janm.org/press/release/statement-japanese-american-national-museum-mourns-passing-dr-warren-n-minami
https://www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Warren-Nori-Minami?obId=23650760#/obituaryInfo