Lt. Col. Kenneth Kagiyama

Lt. Colonel Kenneth Kagiyama (USAF), 86, beloved father, grandfather, and friend to many, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 30, 2025, after a brief illness.

He is survived by his daughters, Rev. Karen Kagiyama (David Newton) and Maile Steimer (Tim), as well as five grandchildren – Kelcy Newton Webster (Mitch), Caroline Newton, Madison Steimer (Ian Yount), Patrick Steimer (Grace), and Hamilton Steimer.

He is predeceased by his wife Janis Kagiyama, his brothers Edward Kagiyama and Stanley Kagiyama, and his sister Marilyn Sunahara.

He was born and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a boy, he washed dishes in his family’s restaurant, the Star Café, and enjoyed riding his bike and camping on the beach. He was an avid baseball player and continued to enjoy watching and playing sports, especially golf, into adulthood.
He attended kindergarten at Harris Memorial United Methodist Church where he came to know the love of Jesus. He graduated in 1956 from St. Louis High School and received a B.S in zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1960. In 1962, he joined the United States Air Force, where he served for 27 years. He completed a master’s degree in business management. After retiring from active duty, he went to work for E-Systems/Raytheon Corporation in Dallas, TX. During both his Air Force and corporate careers he was awarded many commendations for service excellence in project management.

Ken met Janis in San Antonio, Texas while both were in Officer Training School. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on August 7, 1962, and served their first tour at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Military life included many moves across the country, with their final assignment at Robins AFB in Georgia. While Janis gave up an Air Force career due to regulations at the time, she became a wonderful homemaker and military spouse, PTA volunteer, and Sunday School teacher. Ken and Janis were partners in everything, including changing diapers, cooking, and yard work. Ken continued to be a great dishwasher.

A loving, active father to his two daughters, Ken enjoyed being part of all their school and extracurricular activities. He was always their biggest cheer leader and continued that tradition with his grandchildren, attending numerous dance recitals, band concerts, and soccer games. “Pa” also enjoyed many family vacations to the beach and Disney World, and of course, Hawaii. He never missed a birthday, graduation, or other special occasion, and he always picked up the tab for dinner.
Since moving to Carrollton in 2010, he has been a much beloved volunteer and friend. He is a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Military Officers Association of America, and a former volunteer with Open Hands. Previously, he was a hospital volunteer at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins. He was a faithful member of Community First United Methodist Church where he always showed up early to greet people on Sunday morning and enjoy a cup of apple cider. He will be remembered for his friendly smile, his selfless generosity, and his way of sharing the aloha spirit with everyone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Community First UMC (communityfirstumc.org), the Foundation of Wesley Woods (wesleywoods.org) or Golden K Kiwanis (Venmo @TheCarrolltonGoldenK-Kiwanis).

The family will receive visitors on Friday, June 11, from 4 -6 pm at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home, 1312 S. Park Street, Carrollton, GA. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 2 pm at Community First United Methodist Church, 1106 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA, with Rev. Dr. Robert Brown and Rev. Ken Stephens officiating.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the family during this time of loss.