For more years than he can remember, the University of Hawaii head baseball coach's father made every Rainbows road trip from Omaha, Neb., to San Diego State. But no more.
Henry Murakami, 90, died early yesterday morning after a lengthy illness. Les Murakami will go with the team for this weekend's opening Western Athletic Conference series at San Jose.
"It's what he would have wanted me to do," Murakami said in his office after yesterday's practice at gray and wind-swept Rainbow Stadium.
The weather caught the mood of Murakami, who paused just a moment before recalling better days.
"Up until a couple of years ago, he made every road trip wearing that same green jacket," Murakami said. "He has been sick for a while, but we thought he was getting better.
"He just started feeling bad late last week. He slept most of the weekend, but was up and around on Monday.
"I was going to go see him today before we left, but he died early this morning. He couldn't eat or drink. He died in his sleep. Maybe it was for the best."
Had his dad remained ill this week, it's likely Murakami would have stayed behind with him. The arrangements were made yesterday by Murakami, who attended the last half of a light scrimmage that held an air of solemnity.
"We were a baseball family," Murakami said. "I could stay here, but the earliest we could have the funeral was next Wednesday anyway. It's been hard the past few months for us, but it's just one of those things.
"If he had been ill, and we could have done something, then I would have stayed home. It's life. I know he would have wanted me to go. It will help me deal with his passing. I will be thinking about him while I'm on the field."
Henry Murakami is survived by his wife, Shino; brothers Ben, Edward and Tadao Mizuno; sisters Carol (Chin), Shigeko (Kouchi) and Martha (Nose); sons Les and Melvin, and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. March 5 at Diamond Head Mortuary.