Venice High School Alumni
Los Angeles, California (CA)
In Memory of
Ben Frank Masaoka
1952-2024
Born Nov 22, 1952, Ben Frank Masaoka attended Venice High School in Los Angeles, CA.
Class of 1970
Nov 22, 1952 - Sep 03, 2024
Nov 22, 1952 - Sep 03, 2024
Husband, Father, Teacher, Author
Ben Frank Masaoka age 71 died of cancer on September 3, 2024 in Lake Forest Park, Washington surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Adah, twin daughters Grace and Zahra and son Akira. His death marks the loss not only of an excellent writer, but of a kind and thoughtful human being.
Ben was born on November 22, 1952 the son of Akira Ike Masaoka (1918-1984) and Sumiko Andow (1923-1968).
His father Ike was one of the founders of the Culver Tropical Gardens and founded IMCO Realty in 1972. Ike, a W11 veteran was awarded the silver star, bronze medal, and purple heart ????
Ben Masaoka, was born and raised in Los Angeles along with brothers George and Robert where they lived at 12447 Milton Avenue. In 1962, Ben was a cub scout in Troop 48 along with fellow gondos Darrel Thacker and Steve Okazaki. One of his best friends growing up was Carlos Perez; both attended Braddock Drive Elementary School. Ben graduated from Marina del Rey Junior High in 1967 and Venice High School in June of 1970.
???? Ben took off for Hawaii as soon as he could, living on the beach and working odd jobs so he could surf.
????????? Eventually Ben settled in Seattle where he married, taught High School English in Seattle Public Schools, and raised a family.
Ben was a trianglist for many years living between Los Angeles, Seattle, and Hawaii. He traded the sun for the tall, dark green trees of the Northwest.
?? Ben was a thoughtful and gracious writer, by Steven Okazaki
In Ben Masaoka’s remarkable book ‘Criminals’, America is Godzilla rising from the sea at Venice Beach to stomp on the Japanese American Dream, barely noticing the dreamers below as they fight back with rocks, sticks and gaman. He tells a story that touched every nerve in my Japanese American soul.
“It is a wonderful read, really the only novel I know of about growing up Sansei. I grew up with Ben. He tells a story that touched every nerve in my Japanese American soul. On Saturday April 26, 2025, W70 Steven Okazaki with guests Judi Nihei and Jan Masaoka, hosted a book reading and conversation on Ben Masaoka’s Criminals and the Post-War Sansei Experience. — Steven Okazaki, Academy Award–winning filmmaker
Ben Frank Masaoka age 71 died of cancer on September 3, 2024 in Lake Forest Park, Washington surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Adah, twin daughters Grace and Zahra and son Akira. His death marks the loss not only of an excellent writer, but of a kind and thoughtful human being.
Ben was born on November 22, 1952 the son of Akira Ike Masaoka (1918-1984) and Sumiko Andow (1923-1968).
His father Ike was one of the founders of the Culver Tropical Gardens and founded IMCO Realty in 1972. Ike, a W11 veteran was awarded the silver star, bronze medal, and purple heart ????
Ben Masaoka, was born and raised in Los Angeles along with brothers George and Robert where they lived at 12447 Milton Avenue. In 1962, Ben was a cub scout in Troop 48 along with fellow gondos Darrel Thacker and Steve Okazaki. One of his best friends growing up was Carlos Perez; both attended Braddock Drive Elementary School. Ben graduated from Marina del Rey Junior High in 1967 and Venice High School in June of 1970.
???? Ben took off for Hawaii as soon as he could, living on the beach and working odd jobs so he could surf.
????????? Eventually Ben settled in Seattle where he married, taught High School English in Seattle Public Schools, and raised a family.
Ben was a trianglist for many years living between Los Angeles, Seattle, and Hawaii. He traded the sun for the tall, dark green trees of the Northwest.
?? Ben was a thoughtful and gracious writer, by Steven Okazaki
In Ben Masaoka’s remarkable book ‘Criminals’, America is Godzilla rising from the sea at Venice Beach to stomp on the Japanese American Dream, barely noticing the dreamers below as they fight back with rocks, sticks and gaman. He tells a story that touched every nerve in my Japanese American soul.
“It is a wonderful read, really the only novel I know of about growing up Sansei. I grew up with Ben. He tells a story that touched every nerve in my Japanese American soul. On Saturday April 26, 2025, W70 Steven Okazaki with guests Judi Nihei and Jan Masaoka, hosted a book reading and conversation on Ben Masaoka’s Criminals and the Post-War Sansei Experience. — Steven Okazaki, Academy Award–winning filmmaker
Website Administrator posted a photo:
Posted June 25th, 2026