In loving memory of
Herman Aki
Herman Thomas Aki (known as Aki) passed away peacefully on April 29, 2014 in his Phoenix home. Aki suffered from congestive heart disease and type 2 diabetes. He also underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2009.
Aki was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 5, 1949, 5th of 6 children to Peter Aki and Margaret (Ahana) Futrell. He was raised in both Hawaii and in Costa Mesa, California. Aki enlisted into the United States Air Force and served his country proudly for 24 years. Aki received many honors including a Vietnam Service Award and Korea Service Award. He met his first wife of 15 years, AeSun Ko during his service in Korea and had two children. Aki later remarried Judith Foster of Clovis, New Mexico.
Aki is remembered as a great athlete. He loved baseball, volleyball and golf. He was known for his crazy volleyball serves, competitive nature and his love for a good game. As he grew older, he replaced his athletic interests with his dear pets.
After retiring from the Air Force, Aki moved to Phoenix, AZ and owned and operated his own landscaping business, Aloha Lawn and Garden. He tailored lawns in the Phoenix area for 19 years when he had to close shop in 2009 due to heart surgery.
He enjoyed receiving pictures of his grand-children, Carson and Brady (Famuliner) and Henry (Smith). After the passing of his wife, he enjoyed sharing his political points-of-view to whoever would listen. But, mostly, he enjoyed catching up with his daughter and step-daughter.
Aki is known for his multiple tattoos, piercings and tall stories. He loved to gab with the younger generation. He also supported and loved all veterans. He proudly wore his USAF Veteran hat and appreciated the generosity of random strangers who bought him lunch because of his service.
He was a creature of habit frequenting the restaurants near his home and work. He enjoyed reading the paper and a cup of coffee at the Moon Valley Cafe. He enjoyed lunchtime and dinner conversations at the local eateries near the Paradise Valley mall.
He is survived by his daughter, Christine (Aki) Famuliner and husband Conn, and two sons of Taylor, Utah; step-daughter Sarah Campbell-Smith and husband Brian, and son of Chattanooga, TN; step-son Stanton McCandlish of San Francisco, CA; brother Peter Aki, Jr and family of Sun City, AZ; brother Patrick Aki and family of Belmont, CA; sister Paulette (Aki) McKenzie and family of Phoenix, AZ; sister Bernadette Aki and family of Henderson, NV; sister Linette (Aki) Padua and family of Litchfield Park, AZ; half-sister Mara Larrainza; brother-in-law James Foster and family, of Gilmer, Texas; and ex-wife AeSun Aki of Aiea, HI. Aki also had three dear Chihuahua dogs, Pahn Kohn (Panny), Pinkerbell, and Precious.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judith (Foster) Aki; son David Thomas Aki of Aiea, HI; father Peter Aki of Las Vegas, NV; Margaret (Ahana) Futrell of Phoenix, AZ; and mother-in-law Doris Jean (Foster) Packard of Albuquerque, NM.
A private family service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix on May 9, 2014 at 10:00 am.