Memories of Dr. Jerrold (Jerry) Hiura

In memory of

Dr. Jerrold (Jerry) Hiura

Los Gatos, CA, USA

September 8, 1947 - December 26, 2019

Sep 8, 1947 - Dec 26, 2019

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS).

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Dr. Jerrold (Jerry)?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Lucia Cha

2025, Hong Kong

Love always

Read More Read Less

Contemporary Asian Theater Scene

2025, Silicon Valley, CA, USA

Dr. Jerry Hiura’s vision has always been at the heart of (CATS). He believed deeply in the power of the arts to heal, connect, and transform lives. That belief continues to guide us today. As we celebrate the 5th Annual Dr. Jerry Inspiration Award, we are proud to honor his legacy by supporting the next generation of young artists. His artistic hope lives on in every voice, every image, and every story these artists bring forward . It's a reflection of Dr. Jerry’s enduring spirit and the future he dreamed of.

Read More Read Less

Reiko Iwanaga

Thinking of Jerry on his birthday. Today, CATS has announced the young artists who will be awarded the Dr. Jerry Hiura Inspiration Award. These young recipients will ensure that Jerry's mission of helping emerging young artists (of many genres) will continue.

Read More Read Less

Leianne Lamb

Please consider a gift to Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS).

$5,552.00

Raised by 37 people

Learn more & give

Vicky Tamashiro

My condolences to Dr. Jerrold (Jerry)'s family. I first met Dr. Jerrold (Jerry) when I was referred to him by a co-worker. I had just gotten dental insurance while I worked for Eastfield Children's Center. He was easy going, easy to like, and had the most gentle hands. It was not long before he was seeing me and many of my friends (co-workers) as news spread quickly that he was a great dentist who was very caring and extremely likable. I remember his advocacy for the community. We would talk about mental health services when he became a Board Member for ACCI. He took his job seriously and wanted to know as much as he could about the various agencies in the county. I always admired him for his work for the community and as a wonderful, generous, and giving man.

Read More Read Less

Leianne Lamb

The CATS Board : Jerry - We Love You and miss you, and you'll forever be with us!

Read More Read Less

Leianne Lamb

2021, San Jose, CA, USA

Happy Birthday Dr. Jerry!

In honor of one of the most generous, creative, and charismatic individuals one could know, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene created the Dr. Jerry Hiura Inspiration Award to support, inspire and reward outstanding Bay Area high school and college artists.

This year's contest theme was "What it Means to be AAPI" which brought in entries across the art spectrum - from theater to visual art to film.

We were so proud and excited to share what an amazing man you were to the award recipients. Your beautiful legacy will continue to lift so many artists!

Thank you!

Read More Read Less

Leianne Lamb

Reiko Iwanaga

Remembering Jerry today with fond appreciation for someone who was always thinking of the next project that would benefit an artist or organization: Jerry would ask me to lunch, usually to suggest a new program or agenda that we at CATS should follow or, often, something he wanted me to personally pursue. As a former dental hygienist, I was always conscious of the 1:30 time - the first appointment after lunch. I'd gently suggest ending the lunch periodically, but Jerry would continue chatting. And then, the inevitable phone call would come from his office reminding him that a patient was waiting. It's a tribute to him that his patients would not be upset and that anyone who had lunch with Jerry would have his full attention. Miss him greatly. Reiko

Read More Read Less

Leianne Lamb

Ted Smith

1973, San Jose, CA, USA

When I moved to San Jose in the early 1970s, one of the first people I met was Virginia Hirsch, who seemed to know most people in town and she made it her business to make sure that I got connected to "all of the best people in town", including a dentist. She made sure that we connected with Dr. Tom Hiura and that connected has lasted decades. Pretty soon Tom was joined by his son Jerry and we bonded immediately. He was the only dentist I ever looked forward to seeing, since we always had fascinating talks about politics, travel, etc -
thanks for all that you contributed to our community, Jerry!

Ted Smith

Read More Read Less

Eleanor Datu

Happy birthday in heaven Dr Jerry. ❤️ You are the kindest and sweetest guy we know and we miss you so much. - Edwin and Eleanor Datu

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

David Ginsborg

I miss Jerry, he had such a big heart. He was the type of dentist who would call and just check in. More than our dentist, he was a friend and role model for ethical conduct. His commitment to the Arts community and public service was unbelievable, Japantown has Jerry to thank for so much.

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Ana Harris

It was a beautiful tribute to Dr. Jerry today. He will be greatly missed by so many family, friends and patients. Happy Heavenly Birthday Dr. Jerry!

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Brian Chung

Jerry was a dear friend and member of our dental school band. His love for music and life in general was enormous. He was very skilled and talented, and his brilliant mind was humbling. I miss our phone calls and his humor. A very special man.

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Carlos Pérez

2018, San Jose, CA, USA

A Room with My View

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Elisa Alvarado

I send my prayer for comfort and consolation to Jerry's family. Just seeing his smiling face in the picture on this site brings back so many memories of wonderful chats and feelings of deep appreciation that such a good hearted and generous man was part of our community. As the long time Artistic Director of Teatro Vision I witness over, and over his thoughtful, skilled leadership. Our company not only benefitted from his donations but his enthusiastic encouragement to continue the work even though the economy, government and funders sometimes turned their backs. (though never our audience which always included Jerry!). I witnessed his hard work to build performance and other arts within the Japanese American community. He was a wonderful model of civic engagement and a deep advocate as an arts leader. iJERRY HIURA PRESENTE! iQUE VIVA JERRY!

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Howard Sherman

San Jose, CA, USA

We have been patients of Dr. Jerry Hiura for more than thirty years. A trip to the dentist always included talks regarding international travel. After Dr. J would ask me where Elenita and I were headed, he would always remark “you will like it there”. My wife and I have been to a great many places but probably not more then Dr. J. He and I had a long- time love affair with our Porsches. We would often exchange little stories about how we treated our cars which made sense to only those who were real enthusiasts. We will truly miss him.

Read More Read Less

Howard Sherman

Audrey Yu-Speight

Kristin Kelly

Shared a heart

Audrey Yu-Speight

Rita Palacios

Shared a heart

Audrey Yu-Speight

Alexandra Stein

Shared a heart

Audrey Yu-Speight

Comments:

Alexandra Stein

Dr. Hiura we will miss you dearly ❤️ Dr. Hiura we will miss you dearly ❤️ Dr. Hiura we will miss you dearly ❤️

Lorrie Sprain

Dr Jerry was our family dentist since 1995. A kind and caring human being - you will be missed. Dr Jerry was our family dentist since 1995. A kind and caring human being - you will be missed. Dr Jerry was our family dentist since 1995. A kind... Read more

Lori Lantz

Lots of love and prayers from Audrey (Dorothy's favorite duplicate bridge partner), Lori and Peggy Lantz.

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Monica Cortez

Dr jerry and his dad were mine and my family’s dentist. I will truly miss you and your stories and advice. RIP my friend. Sincerely the Cortez family

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Comments:

Mary Polanco

Dr. Jerry was my dentist since 1983 and his dad was my mom's dentist. Dr. Jerry seemed to be a perfectionist... Read more Dr. Jerry was my dentist since 1983 and his dad was my mom's dentist. Dr. Jerry seemed to be a perfectionist since he would not... Read more Dr. Jerry was my dentist since 1983 and his dad was... Read more

Marlene Corbin-Smith

I worked many years with Dr. Jerry. My heart is saddened.

Read More Read Less

Audrey Yu-Speight

Laura Liu

Our deepest condolences to you, dear GanMa, and to Audrey, Larry, and your families. Steve and I will always remember what a delight it was to have you and Jerry at our wedding, and how supportive, engaging, kind, and loving he was to us. We will miss him and keep our fond memories of him in our hearts. We love you. -Laura & Steve

Read More Read Less