Obituary of George Takayama

George Takayama, 96, died peacefully Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Born in San Francisco, CA, on September 28, 1919 to Yozo and Shika Takayama, George moved to New York City following high school to attend Pratt Institute where he obtained his Associate Degree in Art. Receiving an honorable discharge after proudly serving the US Army in the early 1940s, George enjoyed a successful career as an Art Director at J. Walter Thompson, where he worked for 35 years. George, an Allendale, NJ resident for 57 years and a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, enjoyed gardening, fishing and painting. He embraced retirement and devoted more than three decades creating portraits of family, friends and others who touched his life. The Boroughs of Allendale and Ho-Ho-Kus both invited George to be the Designer and Creative Director for the Allendale Centennial Mural and the Ho-Ho-Kus Tricentennial Mural. George will always be remembered as being thoughtful, kind and giving - and though he was not demonstrative, he was incredibly proud of his three children, whom he loved very much. He taught them by example to live honestly, humbly and modestly, yet with a degree of determination yet to be surpassed. He is missed by his beloved wife of 60 years, Lily; his beloved son, Kim, his wife Anne and their children - Kyle and Kelly; beloved daughter, Joy, her husband Steve and their children - Anna, Will and Leah; and beloved son Chris, his wife Christine and their children - Allison and Ryan. He also leaves his beloved sister, Florence, and is predeceased by his brother Hiroshi and sister Haruye. Those who would like to celebrate his artwork and his life are invited to a Memorial Art Exhibit and Service at the The Hermitage, 335 N Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, on March 5th at 2pm. Memorial contributions in memory of George can be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, vpfh.com.