Joji Tomei, 88, of Carriere, Miss., passed away Monday, November 25, 2013.  

Visitation will be held Saturday December 7, 2013 at Picayune Funeral Home beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon with a short memorial service directly after.

Mr. Tomei was born in Laie, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1924.  He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a member of the 1956 NCAA Championship boxing team.  That year, he was also runner up for the individual championship at 132 pounds.  

He was a resident of Pearl River County for 37 years and worked as an Oceanographer for the U.S. Navy.  Mr. Tomei was a member of First United Methodist Church. His hobbies included playing chess, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by: sons: Joseph Tomei of Kumamoto, Japan and Jon Tomei of Carriere, their wives, Miho and Tanya; brother, Keichi Tomei of Los Angeles, Calif.; sister, Gladys Parks of Gettysburg, Penn.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Katherine Leach Tomei, who preceeded him in death 6 years earlier.  He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Joji Tomei.

Arrangements are under the direction of Picayune Funeral Home. Please visit our website for the obituary.

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