Tsuruyo Campbell

Tsuruyo Campbell , age 91, passed away peacefully early morning in her sleep on April 17, 2025, in Gardena, California.

Born in Saga, Japan to parents Masaki and Tamako Tanaka, Tsuruyo carried the grace, strength, and wisdom of her heritage throughout her life. It was in Japan where she met the love of her life, U.S. Navy chief Bill Campbell. Together they moved to Bill’s home state of California (resided in Long Beach), and bonded deeply over their shared love of cooking, watching Japanese sumo wrestling, raising their two sons, and creating a home filled with warmth, tradition, and of course delicious meals.

Tsuruyo was a quiet force of nature—devoted, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in family. She filled countless diaries with her thoughts and memories, leaving behind a written legacy of love and reflection. Her life was dedicated to her family, and she took immense pride in being the heart of her home.

Here in California, she is survived by her beloved sons Alex and Steve Campbell, her daughters-in-law Shannon and Maly Campbell, her grandchildren Joseph, Lxa, Xarian, and Xenan, her great-grandchildren Leta-Luna, Jett, Wednesday, and Melody-Kay (who was lovingly named after Tsuruyo’s English name “Kay”).  In Japan, she is survived by her brother Sesuke and nephews/nieces Sage, Kenji, Mari, Hiroshi, Aiko, Hiroyuki, Shinji, Ryoji and Yuko.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years William “Bill” Campbell, and her siblings in Japan, Kijiro, Masajiro, Masae, and Isako.

Tsuruyo’s quiet strength, deep love, and gentle presence will be forever missed and remembered by all who were lucky enough to know her.