Mrs. KiKu Wells

Kiku Oshiro Wells was born on October 26, 1931, in Ie-son, Okinawa, Japan, to the union of Shinsuke Oshiro and Nabe Minasato. She was born the third of four children.

Her schooling and young life was drastically impacted by World War II and therefore, she was only able to complete lower-secondary education. Kiku later moved from Ie-son, to the larger island of Okinawa for work and to help raise her younger sister.   It was in Okinawa, that she met and later married the love of her life, Sgt. Tom H. Wells Jr., of the United States Air Force, on March 29th, 1961. To this union was born three daughters and a son.

Kiku and her family lived in various places in the United States but returned to Japan until her husband retired from the Air Force.  Kiku and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri in the winter of 1971, where they planted their roots and expanded their family. She was a homemaker (stay-at-home mom) until all her children were able to attend school and then she began to work various service jobs to gain independence and help manage the affairs of the household. Her most recent job was with the Research Medical Center, where she worked in environmental services until she retired following a ten-year tenure.

Kiku joined Mt. Olive Baptist Missionary Baptist Church with her husband. They later moved their membership to Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church where she served and was a faithful member until the passing of her husband.  Kiku continued her spiritual journey by serving others and studying the word of God.

Kiku departed this life comfortably on March 23, 2024, at the age of 92 in the home of her granddaughter, Kiku Brooks (Antoine, Naomi and Nia), who loved and cared for her until she was called home. 

Kiku is proceeded in death by her parents, Shinsuke and Nabe Oshiro; her husband, Tom H. Wells Jr.; her siblings, Toshi Furugen, Haruko Oshiro and Shintoku Oshiro; and granddaughter Tamara Vaughn.  She leaves to mourn in her memory four children, Katherine Webb (Jesse), Doris Wells, Linda Wells and her beloved son Calvin Wells; grandchildren, Nicole Webb, Kiku Brooks (Antoine), Alicia Webb (Daniel), Quiana Strickland (Korey), Carmen Strickland, Darvin Booker (Alicia), LaRhonda Nelson (Darien) Tiffany Wells, Desiree Vaughn, Kennisha Martin (Alonzo), Benny Cook, Veronica Shackelford (Jarawn) and James Lewis-Reeves.; twenty–one great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, 11am at Watkins Heritage Chapel, visitation 10 am. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS. Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel 4000 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd Kansas City, Missouri 64130 816-861-3030

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