Funeral service for Tsuneko "Kim" Flowers will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Larry Flowers of Atlanta, Georgia officiating.

Burial will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

The family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 5pm until 7pm at the funeral home.

The service may be viewed by following the live stream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

Mrs. Tsuneko Kudaka-Flowers was 86 years old when she ascended to heaven on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Tsuneko was born on July 8, 1938, in Ishikawa, Okinawa to Eki and Tomi Kudaka.

Known to many as Kim, she lived a full life. She overcame adversities only a few people have experienced and managed to maintain a positive perspective on life with love for all. She had to overcome challenges at an early age when both of her parents were killed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Tsuneko, her older brother and younger sister survived with other Okinawans by retreating to caves up in the mountains. After the war, she was raised by her uncle and his wife who both are still living in Okinawa.

Tsuneko met her husband to be, James Flowers, in 1962 when he was stationed at the Army base in Okinawa. James was smitten by Tsuneko and after dating for 2 years, they were married on April 7, 1964. Together they raised three children, Dale, Jerry and Denise. She also loved her bonus daughter Elaine as her own. Tsuneko was a very caring and engaged mom who stressed the importance of education, applying yourself and treating others with love and respect. She lost her husband on May 6, 2008, after 44 years of marriage.

Her Christian faith helped her to maintain an incredibly positive attitude as she faced additional challenges throughout life. Tsuneko overcame two bouts with cancer in the later stages of her life. At the age of 72, she defeated colon cancer and at the age of 75, she overcame pancreatic cancer. Her resilience was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Tsuneko spent the vast majority of her adult life in Lawton, Oklahoma. James was stationed at Fort Sill in 1972, and they retired in Lawton in 1978. She made many friends who remained close throughout their lives. A special bond was formed with a group of ladies from Okinawa who also lived in Lawton. Traveling, spending time with friends and family, playing bingo and slots, and gardening were her favorite leisure time activities. Tsuneko was an example of unconditional love towards her family, including the many nieces and nephews from James' side of the family. Grandma Kim's greatest joy was spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law: Dale and Helen Flowers, Dallas, Texas and Jerry and Star Flowers, Moore Oklahoma; two daughters: Denise Flowers-Long, Richmond, Texas and Elaine Owens (son-in-law Bobby Owens), Fairburn, Georgia; fourteen grandchildren: Zachery Flowers, Quentin Flowers (wife Abigail), Brandon Flowers, Bryce Flowers, Malachi Walton, Skylar Flowers, Kamiyah Thompson, Jacobie Flowers, Chloe Flowers, Cameron Thompson, Jayce Flowers, Tevin Long, Trivilla Ross and Erica Jennings; three great-grandchildren: James Flowers, India Leslie and Jadah Leslie.

Tsuneko was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Tadanogu and sister Misako.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com