Tsugio “Tug” Ikeda was born in 1925 in Salinas, California, the second of five sons to farmer, Genroku Ikeda and his wife, Tsuyuko Ikeda. His father declared that Tug would be the farmer to take over the farm, because older brother was “the smart one” who would go on to school and become a professional man.Sometimes plans are foiled.

Tug passed to his next adventure October 28, 2021, and from the day he was born to his last day, he lived a life of generous, productive, honorable kindness. He had four main callings in his life; family man, educator, cook, and wood worker.

When Tug was 16, WWII broke out, and his family, along with many other Americans of Japanese ancestry, was rounded up and locked in a relocation camp. They were allowed only what they could carry, and had to dispose of all other belongings, including their land, in only a few weeks. The family lost their farm and almost everything they possessed.They spent several years in Poston II, a desert internment camp on the Arizona California border.In the camp, the prisoners built community and a school, among other things. Tug graduated high school in the camp and became a teacher in the high school from which he had just graduated.Loyalty oaths were demanded of the internees.Tug said yes, he was American, and loyal to the USA.Soon, he was drafted into the Army by the same government that had imprisoned him and his family. Tug spent WWII in US counterintelligence, using his language skills to interrogate prisoners and help with the allied occupation of Japan at war’s end.After his honorable discharge, he attended Gustavus Adolphus College.He received his certification to teach at Western Montana College and earned a master’s degree from MSU.

Tug became a teacher, and remained one for the rest of his days, in one form or another.Very early in his career, he married and became a father of three.Tug taught in elementary classrooms and eventually became a principal.To help support his family, he worked summers and holidays at the US Post Office, the Great Falls Parks Dept., and at the Anaconda Company. Those years were busy but exciting.He loved raising his children and loved to build things for them: from Pet and Doll Parade floats to backyard carnivals, he was part of his children’s lives in a supportive, appreciative, celebratory way.That continued until he left this world.After his first retirement, Tug ran for and was elected Cascade County Superintendent of Schools, a post he held for six years.

In 1993, Tug was named one of the top one hundred graduates in the first hundred years of Montana State University.Later, John Tester awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in WWII, and for the internment he and over 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry suffered.

In 1974, Tug married teacher/counselor/Dean Enid Walden, the love of his life, and they created a wonderfully blended family.Enid and Tug loved to travel, especially to Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe.Their travel adventures and misadventures would make a fine and funny book!Mostly in their travels, they discovered the kindness in people.

Tug’s second favorite sanctuary was the kitchen.He loved to cook and taught many lucky folks how to cook better as well.He specialized in Japanese food, and for a while, he and Enid catered dinners across the northwest.He would create a masterpiece of a meal, delightful for the eye and tongue, and at the end maybe he’d say, “That wasn’t too bad!”

Tug’s favorite refuge and playground, other than by Enid’s side, was his wood shop.There he allowed his creativity to find expression and make man glitter (sawdust) to his heart’s content.He loved it when someone would say, “You know what I could use?” because that would mean he could create something beautiful and useful, he could shop for more wood, and maybe buy a new tool!His own home is full of beautiful, unique pieces of furniture, custom solutions to a thousand of life’s challenges, and many of his friends and family also received the lovely benefit of his skill and passion.
Tug is predeceased by his beloved daughter, Meg; and his brothers, Hideo Ikeda and Mitsuo Ikeda. He is survived by his wife, Enid, who was also his guide and support through all the challenges of a complex and wonderful life; by children, Elizabeth (Dan Sieckman) Ikeda, Bryce (Kristine Soorian) Ikeda, Elani (Nels Hennum) Walden, and Gavin (Lynn) Walden; brothers, Kazuo Ikeda and Kengo (Shirley) Ikeda; sisters-in-law, Cheryl Ikeda and Alma Ikeda; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving him are grandchildren, Aryn Kyle, Andrew (Tori) Kelley, Mary (Jay Tatum) Kelley; great-grandsons, Eli, Lachlan and Parker Kelley; and great granddaughter, Danni Kei Tarum.

A celebration of Tug’s life is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Great Falls High Scholl Auditorium. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tug’s memory to The Great Falls Public School Foundation or the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation.