In Memory of Hideo Kotani

Hideo Kotani

Spouse: Mitsuyo Kotani
Children: Yoshia, Hanna, Naomi, Maika
DOB: September 11, 1965
Blessing: October 30, 1988
Ascension: September 3, 2024
Seonghwa Ceremony: Sunday 15, at 10 am PST at the Los Angeles Family Church 2301 Findlay Ave, Monterey Park, CA, 91754
GoFundMe Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-hideo-kotani-support-his-family?utm_campaign=fp_ss_icons_ai&utm_content=amp9v1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Hideo Kotani was born on September 11, 1965 in Shimane, Japan. He is the eldest of 2 sons to Hiroshi and Etsuko Kotani. He was witnessed by a close friend in 1986, soon after which he joined the Unification Movement. When he heard the Divine Principle, he truly believed it was the truth. Around the time, he joined the movement, his father and a close mentor passed. However, instead of staying in his hometown to support his widowed mother, he felt that he had to do God's Will because he could not deny the Principle.
He moved to Hiroshima where his mission was to sell household medicine door to door. After receiving the 6,500 Couples' Blessing in 1988 with Mitsuyo Takano(maiden name), he volunteered to do God's providence in America in 1992. He did MFT in Chicago and managed a Japanese restaurant in Arizona. He finally came to Los Angeles as part of the Japanese Evangelical Association in 1992.

In 1995, his wife joined him to start a family. They were blessed with 4 lovely children, Yoshia(28), Hanna(26), Naomi(24), and Maika(22). From 1996 until the day he passed, Hideo diligently worked for True World Foods (formerly known as Uni World). In 2023, he was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. He fought courageously against the illness with the support of his family but ascended a year later on September 3rd, 2024. He took his last breath in his own home, surrounded by family.
He is remembered as a man of few words, but he spoke passionately about his interests and the Divine Principle. His children remember his passion for watching professional wrestling and baseball. He was also remembered for his endurance and lack of complaint. Despite having swollen hands and feet from gout, he would go to work every day for his family. Most of all, he is remembered as someone with a kind, embracing heart. He would tear up when speaking about Heavenly Parent and True Parents, depicting his true love and filial heart towards them. We can feel his joy being embraced in Heavenly Parent’s bosom now.