Ronald Noriyuki Inouye

Ronald Noriyuki Inouye passed away on September 14, 2026, in Scarsdale, New York, at the age of 86.

Born on May 2, 1940, in Murray, Utah, to Yukiyoshi and Mary Mitsuye Tanaka Inouye, Ron was the oldest of six children. In his early childhood, his family put down roots in Highland, Utah, where his father established a cattle-raising and potato farm. As the oldest son growing up on a farm, Ron had many responsibilities from a young age. He woke up early each morning to feed the cattle, clean the corrals, and pick ice off the frozen water troughs. He even delivered a breech calf when he was just twelve years old. Alongside his father, he raised Herefords, including prize-winning cattle; one of his Herefords earned the Grand Champion title at the Utah State Fair.

Despite having to wake early to attend to farm chores, Ron still managed to excel in all areas of school. He attended American Fork High School, where he was captain of the football and wrestling teams, Student Body President, a state debate winner, and valedictorian of his class. His senior accolade, "Strong of body and mind," defined him throughout his life. 

When Ron was nineteen, he served a 2½-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan, where he gained a deep appreciation for his heritage. Upon his return, he earned degrees from Brigham Young University (B.S. and master's degrees) and George Washington University Law School (J.D.). While in law school, he married Linda Ushio, the love of his life, and the newlyweds set off for New York to begin their life together. He promised her they would only be in New York for three years, but they loved it and never left.

After beginning his legal career at Whitman & Ransom, Ron decided to establish his own law firm, Inouye & Ogden, in New York City, where he practiced international corporate law. Throughout his decades-long career, he often used his legal expertise to help members of the community who needed it most. He was a meticulous and eloquent writer, willing to use his talents to assist anyone. 

Hard-working to his core, Ron is often remembered wearing a headlamp on his forehead at midnight, working in the garage or driveway. His favorite quote, which embodied the discipline instilled in him while growing up on a farm, was: "The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight; But they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night" (Longfellow). These words capture not only his extraordinary work ethic and willingness to labor long after others had gone to bed, but also his quiet determination to continually learn, build and serve. 

He was constantly engineering, whether it was a rock wall in his backyard, a racetrack at his church for the nursery-age children's Hot Wheels, or a birdhouse for his mother-in-law to observe from her window. He used his time and energy to make others smile, always finding ways to improve the lives of those around him. 

He enthusiastically served in various capacities in his church, including serving as a Scoutmaster, bishopric counselor, counselor in a stake presidency, stake patriarch, and ordinance worker in the Manhattan Temple. He had an abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and a compassionate, tender heart. 

He was an avid sports fan and bird watcher. He enjoyed fishing and a good joke. He loved Häagen-Dazs ice cream and grabbing a late-night hot dog from Gray's Papaya with Linda on the way home from their Friday night temple shift. And he loved laughing with others and making others laugh. 

Ron was a devoted husband, proud father, and beloved grandfather. His family will miss his silly antics and the knick-knacks he loved to buy from Jack's 99 ¢ Store. His grandkids treasure the $5 bills he tucked into Ziploc bags, each one labeled with their name in Sharpie. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Linda Ushio; their five children, Bryce (Kristen), Alana (John), Kara (Josh), Dallin, and Scott (Jillian); his five siblings, Carolyn, Donna, Gerry, Jay, and Vicki; and his fifteen grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life for Ronald Inouye will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 60 Wayside Lane, Scarsdale, New York. Service at 11:00 am. Greeting the family at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Salt Lake City, Utah