Sachiko Sakakibara Beck

Sachiko Sakakibara Beck, 73, of Columbus, GA, died Friday April 8, 2022 at her residence.

She was born October 14, 1948 to the late Goru and Etsuko Sakakibara of Takatoya, Japan. Known as “Chiko” by her American friends. Sachiko was the first of four children.

She was proficient in piano and a patron of the musical arts. Saved by Jesus, her first trip to the U.S. was with a Christian Mission where she lived in California and studied English at the University of California, Berkley.She served the people of California for 2 years spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, after which she returned to Japan and started a position with AFLAC offices in Tokyo. She was instrumental in translating the AFLAC insurance plans with Japanese Government where she began her career as John B Amos’ personal assistant and moving to Columbus, Georgia full time in 1975. While working for AFLAC she was able to travel the world, meet sitting U. S. Presidents, movie stars, and famous athletes.

She met her husband James Beck Jr. in 1985 and wed shortly after. Her pride and joy in life was watching her only child, Jimmy, play golf competitively starting at age 4. She worked for Panasonic Corp for 30 years, being a direct Japanese liaison and administrative assistant for the HR department of the lithium battery division in Columbus, GA. She has been an active member of Edgewood Baptist Church for over 30 years and was the Principal of the Japanese School in Columbus GA.

In 1996, as Columbus held the Softball event of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics she hosted and directed activities for the Olympic softball team of Japan. In her free time Sachiko enjoyed gardening, being at the golf course with her son Jimmy, and volunteering her time to all of the many organizations she was a part of. World traveler and friend to all. Well known, well loved, and cherished by anyone who came in contact with her. A strong woman of God, she spread his love in every human she touched. The world will never be the same without her.

She is survived by her husband James Beck Jr of Columbus, her son & daughter in law Mr. and Mrs. James Beck III of Columbus, her mother- in-law Amaryllis Beck of Ocean Springs MS, brother, Toru Sakakibara of Santa Ana, California, sister Takako and husband Seiichi Moriyama of Osaka, Japan, and brother Kiyoshi Sakakibara and wife RyokoSakakibara of Japan. Many loved nieces and nephews.

The family will be receiving people at their home instead of a service as requested by Sachiko.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the John B Amos Cancer Center in Sachiko’s honor.

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