John Tanabe went home to be with the Lord on July 10, 2012 in Torrance, California. After a full life of being a productive and giving person he passed away at the age of 81. He will be missed by his sister, Mary Ho; brothers, Kiyoshi, Mikio and Fred Tanabe; in-laws Janice Tanabe and Bill Blaine and many nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held at the Veteran's Cemetery in Kauai, Hawaii. The family respectfully requests no koden, gifts or flowers. Instead, as John loved plants and horticulture, plant a tree, bush, vegetable garden or flowers in his memory.