Jeffrey Isamu Umene's Obituary
Jeffrey “Jeff” Isamu Umene, 64, of Sacramento, California, passed away unexpectedly on January 3, 2026.
Jeff was born on January 20, 1961, at Alameda Hospital to Yoshimi and Mary Umene. He graduated from Mira Loma High School in 1979 and attended UC Davis.
A gifted student, he was widely known for his math skills. His nephew and nieces often turned to him as a “phone-a-friend” when faced with challenging math problems.
Jeff was a talented all-around athlete. He excelled in baseball, basketball, football, swimming, tennis, table tennis, billiards, and even board games. He was a four-year varsity water polo player at Mira Loma High School.
His athletic talents continued beyond high school. Jeff was an accomplished snow skier and a standout softball player, holding down third base for multiple adult league teams, and frequently occupying the clean-up spot in the batting order. He was also an outstanding golfer, achieving a single-digit handicap. He was a member of the Metro Golf Addix golf club for many years and competed in many local competitions, and several NCGA Championship events.
Jeff’s talents extended beyond athletics. He was exceptionally skilled at arcade games. He earned a reputation as one of the best pinball players in the area and was well-known for his mastery of Space Invaders, Asteroids, Missile Command, and many others. He was so proficient that he stepped in for Bruce and Jon during their video game marathons for charity.
After attending UC Davis, Jeff began his career at C&L Games before moving into the telecommunications industry. He worked for several companies, and enjoyed a successful career at Graybar Electric Company, holding positions in Customer Service, Sales, and Quotations. Because of his extensive product knowledge, customers and co-workers affectionately called him “The Walking Catalog”.
Jeff is survived by his brothers, Bruce, and Jon (Nehemia) along with his nephews, Ryan, and Franchon, and his nieces, Jolie, and Norie.
Jeff’s life was rich with many circles. In each one he touched the people around him, creating lasting connections. He will be remembered for his warm smile and his friendly, welcoming presence.
A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7 at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes in Sacramento. Since this is a celebration, we encourage attendees to dress in a way that celebrate the circle you shared with him and reflects your personal connection with Jeff.
What’s your fondest memory of Jeffrey?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jeffrey?
Share a story where Jeffrey's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jeffrey you’ll never forget.
How did Jeffrey make you smile?