Former mayor passes away
Jack Tanaka and wife Wanda Tanaka were recognized by the Walnut Valley School District as Partners in Education of Quail Summit Elementary School.
September 13, 2017
Former Diamond Bar Mayor Jack Tanaka was a man of many accomplishments, from receiving international awards to inspiring students through his involvement on the DBHS campus. On August 3, Tanaka died as a result of lung cancer. He was 69.
Tanaka and his wife, Wanda, were well-known on campus for being dedicated Leo Club advisors. The couple received the Lions Club International’s Lion of the Year award in 2012, a prestigious prize given annually for providing long term service to the community. The Tanakas were very motivated advisors. According to the club’s IOC Representative Ashley Pang, they attended every single Leo Club meeting and event.
“He [was] always ready to volunteer with us,” Pang said. “He was a great role model for everyone.”
According to alumnus Ashley Chen, the Tanakas were always available to give a helping hand. One of Chen’s memorable moments with Tanaka was when she ran for DB4 Youth chairman. However, she ended up not getting the position. Tanaka told her not to give up and that one mishap would not prevent her from grasping future opportunities. A month later, she was crowned Miss Diamond Bar and he was in the audience cheering her on. Tanaka, a retired U.S. Army sergeant, was known for helping others. He engaged in many community activities, such as planning city birthday parties and concerts.
“I was able to bond with Mr. Tanaka because he attended every single city event, pageant event and DB4 Youth meetings,” Chen said via Facebook. “Mr. Tanaka was an instrumental part of my life in Diamond Bar.”
In addition to volunteering, Tanaka was well known by many in Diamond Bar for being a prominent member of the city council. He was first elected as mayor in 2005 and served two terms for the city. Afterwards, he served in the City Planning Commision as vice chairman for over three years. Last November, Jack Tanaka announced his retirement from 10 years of community service to the city and was praised by the Diamond Bar City Council. In honor of Tanaka’s passing, a memorial service was held on Aug. 31 at the Diamond Canyon Christian Church and was followed by a reception at the Diamond Bar Golf Course.
