Akimasa Roy Sawamura

Akimasa Roy Sawamura of Columbia, Maryland passed away peacefully on September 22, 2021. He was born on November 7, 1943, at the Manzanar War Camp in California to Satoko (Nozawa) and Kakugoro Sawamura. This experience, at the Japanese American internment camp during WWII, had a very influential impact on Roy and his family. After receiving a sponsorship from a family in Denver, they made Colorado their new home. Roy grew up in the Denver area, graduated from Manual High School, and attended Metropolitan State University of Denver. For many years, he was a member of the Denver Buddhist Temple. Through friends, Roy met Kayoko (Itokazu) Fellows and he immediately knew he was destined to care for her and her young daughters. Roy and Kayoko were married in 1976 and soon after he adopted Cynthia and Lynn. Roy was the manager of APCOA Parking in the Denver area for 20 years and then moved his family to Columbia, MD, where he retired from managing Prince George’s Parking Authority in the Baltimore area after 19 years. In his younger days, Roy loved riding his motorcycle, camping, and fishing. Later he enjoyed playing golf and making friends of all ages. He was genuinely interested in the knowledge and experiences of others. Roy was very proud of his Japanese American culture, fluent in both Japanese and English, relished sharing his personal experiences and opinions, and valued the importance and respect of family above all. He was a fierce protector of Kayoko and his girls, but always generously opened his arms to his extended family. Akimasa Roy Sawamura “Papa,” a strong, honest, and loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, will be missed by many. Roy is survived by his wife Kayoko Sawamura, daughter Cynthia Sawamura (Richard Alexander), daughter Lynn Sawamura, granddaughter Tiffany (Joshua) Gorham, grandson Akira Alexander, great-grandson Akeem Kobe Alexander, sister Joyce Yoshiko Fukasawa, brother Jerry Kingo Sawamura, nieces Mariko Kathryn Fukasawa, Noriko Lisa Ichimura, Tomi Judith Yamamoto, and numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family. Roy is preceded in death by his parents Satoko and Kakugoro Sawamura, sister Amy Emiko Yamamoto, and brother Ben Manabu Sawamura. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date in the mountains of Colorado.

Akimasa Roy Sawamura

November 7, 1943 - September 22, 2021