Julia Kim-Tahara

Following a lengthy 6-year battle with cancer, Julia Kim-Tahara passed away peacefully at home on June 15, 2024 - the day when Earth lost a saint, the sky gained a star, and heaven gained an angel.

Born on June 4, 1971 in Springfield, IL, Julia moved to Sacramento, CA, in 1982. The youngest of 6 children and the only one of her siblings born in the U.S., she graduated from Mesa Verde High School in 1989. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Steven, in 1990 and welcomed their first daughter, Kimiko, in 1991. Julia graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1999 with dual degrees in Political Science and East Asian Studies. Steven’s successful career and the arrivals of Kiyoko, and twins, Emiko and Mieko, necessitated moves from Sacramento to Concord, Orange County, and later Flower Mound, Texas.

Julia was a poised, quick-witted, and joyful optimist. She inspired others to be strong and to be their best by her daily actions. She was beautiful inside and out, compassionate, generous, modest, and thoughtful. Above all, she was caring, loving, and selfless. She had a passion for photography, food, Hawaii, and cooking and baking for family and friends. She loved her 2 fur babies, miniature poodles KoKo and Kobe.

Julia is survived by her husband of 34 years, Steven Tahara, and their 4 daughters, Kimiko, Kiyoko, Emiko, and Mieko. Preceded in death by her father, Thomas Ih Oh Kim, she is also survived by her mother, Sang Ock Kim; siblings, Joo Sook Kim, Jin Hoon (Margaret) Kim, and Yung Hoon Kim; nieces and nephews, Markland Kim, Alexis (Valentyn) Tymofieiev, William Kim, Gina Kim, Jin-Hoon Kim Jr., Adam Casey, Elina Kim (Brandon Nishimura), Joshua Kim, and Brandi Kim; and 13 great nieces and nephews. Julia will also be missed by many extended family members and lifelong friends.

Julia was a guiding light to her family and friends, who will be forever inspired by her strength, love, and humility. Her light shines on through the lives she touched.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Services on Friday, June 28, 2024 from 2:00PM-4:00PM at East Lawn Memorial Park, 4300 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95819. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julia’s memory to Hope for Stomach Cancer (https://stocan.org/ways-to-give-and-help-fight-stomach-cancer/donate-now/). For more beautiful tributes and to learn more about her colorful life, please visit: https://everloved.com/life-of/julia-kim-tahara/.