Tony Ikehara Obituary

I just learned this morning of Dr. Ikehara's untimely and tragic death, and words cannot express the shock and grief I feel! He has been my husband's and my optometrist for years and one of our all-time favorite doctors. We felt like we were with family whenever we were in the office with him and Phyllis. He took such care and time with us, explaining things thoroughly and treating us as though there was no one else waiting in the office. We will miss him so very much!! Our hearts go out to his entire family.

There isn't a single human being who hasn't plenty to cry over, and the trick is to make the laughs outweigh the tears.

That's why we shouldn't cry for what is over... no matter how painful it is to loose a special person. But we should be happy for the moments we had, for the memories one leaves behind.

Tony, as everyone knew him, really did leave good memories behind him. He cared for people like no one else did, and that's what we should remember...He loved seeing people smile and laugh. He was a kind and wonderful person. Trully he's unreplaceable.

Tony left us all a good lesson to learn, we as human beings forget to tell people how important and special they are to us during their life time. But when they're gone, its too late. So let's not forget to remind all of our loved ones today, how much we love them and care for them!

Life brings tears, smiles and memories. The tears will dry, the smiles will fade, but the memories will last a lifetime!!

Christine, My heart goes out to you. I know you will miss Tony dearly. We, at VIBeS hope you can find strength through your family and friends. Please come join us for some snow-shoeing. You both enjoyed everything Colorado has to offer and we hope we can continue to share that with you. Know that we are thinking of you.

I had the privilege of working with Tony and Christine at Queen of the Valley in West Covina CA- He was a wonderful person and a great soul mate for Christine. My thoughts and prayers go out to Christine and the family. God truly takes the best ones at a young age and in their prime-

God Bless you Tony!

I WORKED WITH DR. IKEHARA WHEN HE CAME TO CANON CITY.I'VE NEVER WORKED WITH A KINDER MAN. HE HAD SUCH A GENTLE NATURE. IT IS SUCH A TREMENDOUS LOSS! THE FAMILY IS CERTAINLY IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
TRISHA TAYLOR, CANON CITY

The first time I met Dr. Tony, he was taking care of my husband while at a nursing home, such kidness he showed with him. When my husband came home we were grateful that Dr. Tony took care of both of us.
We will miss him calling us to remind us of our appointments.
All of us have lost a very special person.
May all of you find peace with your memories.
You are in our thoughts and prayersl
Art & Marion Theysohn

I am at a loss for words. I enjoyed working with Tony developing his new Eye Care logo and business forms. He was "living the dream". I adopted many of Tony's great business ideas. He was always such a positive person that was so "easy" and comfortable to be with. There was something really magnetic and attractive in Tony that made people love him right from the get. We laughed so hard talking about the "South Park" cartoons. I could go on and on... I will miss him so much.

Christine, you and Tony were such a great inspiration to me. Your loving and creative energy were infectious and inspiring. I appreciate your and Tony's wonderful spirit in all of our lives.

Words cannot describe the shock and sadness of learning about Tony's passing. I met Tony in college at CSUSB in the fall of 1990 and in those four years he was a good friend who always had a smile and greeted you with a gentle "Hello." My memories of him and those days with everyone in the "Chemistry Study Group" will forever live in my heart. I will miss you, Tony.

I was a patient of Dr. Ikehara as well as my son. I also introduced my ex husband and my mother to him after my first visit a few years ago. He is such a caring man and you can tell that by his work and how much information he gives you. I really enjoyed my once a year visits. Dr. Ikehara was very personable as well as professional. I was in total shock and disbelief when I heard of the news. He will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to his wife and family.

I'd only know Tony for four years, but he impressed me as a very kind and carry man. I was deeply shocked to learn of his accident. My prayers go out to his family and close ones.

I’ve known Dr. Tony for several years and he always greeted my husband and I with a warm smile, an enthusiastic handshake, and a sparkle in his eyes along with a genuine interest in our lives, families, careers and even our hobbies. Each visit with Dr. Tony was a pleasant mixture of old friends catching up on the latest news, hot topics of interest and of course that all important yearly eye exam with our favorite and beloved doctor.

Dr. Tony was a very caring and compassionate caregiver – his close relationships with his patients made him especially caring and he was always watching out for others. This past year Dr. Tony was especially involved in my eye care when an unexpected event occurred with my vision. His treatment was careful, thoughtful, and thorough, and he acted with professional urgency when I was faced with a potentially life-impacting diagnosis.

As I read the many tributes to Dr. Tony, it was observed by many that he had a great passion for life, his beloved Christine, family, community, nature, and of course . . . his patients. His life has been a blessing to the many hearts he has touched and it is in our hearts that his blessings will rest and continue to grow – he will always be with us.

Dr. Tony will most definitely be missed and my heart goes out to his family, friends and patients in this loss.

Tony will always be remembered as one of the kindest, most gentle giants of a man.
You knew when you spoke with him, he was completely engaged.
What a blessing he was to all of us that called him "friend".
My thoughts and prayers are with all his family.

Dr. Tony is going to be dearly missed by myself and my family. Not only did I once work with him but he he also was the Eye Doctor for my whole family.
He was an amazing Doctor and I appreciate everything he did for my family. He was exceptional at what he did. It will be difficult to anyone that can measure up to his standard.

I met Dr. Tony nine years ago. Never have we had a more loving or caring eye doctor. Tony and Christy (as I sometimes call her) are such wonderful people. We have been blessed with a wonderful relationship. This community has lost not only a great doctor but a beautiful person, a gentle man and a wonderful friend. My husband and I will miss him greatly. Christy...I wish I were with you right now, as you know I am in Iowa at present because my oldest brother of 80 years is in ICU in Moline, Il. He is holding his own and I thank you for your constant prayers for him while you are in such grief over your love. Know all of you are in our prayers. I will miss my favorite doctor for always. Be blessed and at peace my dear friend Tony,
Our love and prayers;
Helen & George Gillette

Dr. Tony was a wonderful man, always made us feel like we were family. He is greatly missed and will always be in our hearts!

I met Tony and Christine in Dec 2005 at the Chamber Christmas Party. Tony became an Ambassador the following year and was a great asset to the community and other business leaders. He had passion for everything he did and everyone that he came in contact with. Always a smile to share, he will be missed but remembered always.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ikehara and he was a great man. Very dedicated to his patients and a nice guy to work for. He will truly be missed! My thoughts and prayers go to his family!

Dr. Tony was the best and took so much time with me in my eye care. I will miss him dearly. After a through eye exam we spent allot of time talking sports, particularly baseball. If my memory serves me, he was affilliated with the Sky Soxs. My prayers are for Dr. Tony and his entire family. I will miss his personal call for my appointment date. He was one of the best....
Jim Eichmeier
Colorado Springs, CO

Our family will always be greatful to Dr. Tony. He was a very special and caring person. May peace be with you during this time. Paul, Lauren, and Meghan Groves

Please know our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dr. Ikehara was my first doctor when I moved to the Springs.
Never did I feel rushed or treated as if I were just another set of eyes. Dr. Ikehara took his time, would ask questions and was truly interested in his patients personally. VIBeS and it's members will miss him and feel the void for a long time.

I remember those days at Queens fondly watching the romance develop between you and Tony. We all thought it was great that such wonderful people found each other. . Tony will be with you in spirit for the rest of your life until you can be with him again. May God be with you and your family during this time.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful portrait of Dr. Tony and his life. His footprints are forever entrenched into our hearts.

Dr. Tony, we will always be grateful to you. Our family will miss you dearly.

Bryan, Lori and Kayla