Tomoko Baxter (Hayashi), our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at Cherry Creek Adult Care Home in Kennewick, Wash. on March 28, 2025 at the age of 94.
Born on Jan. 1, 1931 in Yokohama, Japan to Fusakichi (father) and Fuji (mother) Hayashi, Tomoko lived a life of resilience in the face of adversity, devotion to family, and dedication in both work and hobby.
Her childhood in wartime Japan was marked by hardship, including the loss of her family home to firebombing. After the war, she took work on a U.S. military base, where she met her husband, Carl E. Baxter. At the age of 20, she bid farewell to family and homeland, bound for a new life that lay on American shores. The couple settled in Umatilla, where they resided from 1951 to 2001. There, she worked at Easton’s Cafe and Drug, and eventually transitioned to Lamb Weston of Hermiston, where she worked until retirement. In 2001, Tomoko and husband Carl moved to Kennewick, Wash., where they spent their remaining years.
Tomoko cherished family and delighted in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her pride and joy. An avid home cook, she found joy in baking. Tomoko’s cakes earned accolades not only from family and friends but also in Oregon state competitions, where she placed fifth in 1963 and took the first-place trophy in 1965. She enjoyed both domestic and international travel with her husband and children. She returned home to Japan to visit family as often as she could.
Tomoko is survived by her brother, Masami Hayashi of Yokohama, Japan; sons, Karl (Laura) of Hillsboro, Terry (Kathy) of Vancouver, Wash., Glen (Gloria) of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; and daughter, Penny Anderson (Don) of Kennewick, Wash. She leaves behind a legacy of seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews both stateside and in Japan.
Tomoko was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Carl; eldest son, Earl; sisters, Sumie and Fusako; and brother, Shouji.
Her quiet fortitude, sweet smile, and loving spirit will be deeply missed. Tomoko’s life taught us the lesson echoed in her favorite Japanese song, “As the river flows, through the ages, life is a journey unending.”
A public graveside service will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Umatilla on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11 a.m.
Tomoko was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Wash., to which donations may be made.
Please share memories of Tomoko with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
