Remembering Paul Moriuchi: A Life of Service and Family

Paul Masaru Moriuchi (April 9, 1948 – April 11, 2024), aged 76, passed away unexpectedly in a selfless act of love while trying to save the family dog, Sadie Roo. Born in Oceanside, CA, Paul attended Rubidoux High School in Riverside where he met the love of his life, Paula Neyle Roden. The two high school sweethearts married on July 26, 1969.

After high school, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and honorably served as a minute-man missile mechanic during the Vietnam War at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Following his military service, Paul and Paula moved to Branson, Missouri to start a new chapter in the beautiful Ozarks. Their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work ethic led them to open the White Frog Restaurant & Bar at the former Branson Inn.

In 1978, the couple opened Koi Garden Restaurant, a beloved Branson establishment known for Paul’s famous cooking and Paula’s warm hospitality. More than just a restaurant owner, Paul was a role model who treated his “Koi Garden kids” like family, instilling values of hard work and pride in everyone who worked for them. In the 1980s, Paul and Paula welcomed two daughters, Miko and Kodii, who grew up surrounded by Koi Garden Restaurant friends and family.

In 1994, Paul and Paula made the difficult decision to close the restaurant in order to spend more time with their girls. Subsequently, Paul and Paula built the Koi Garden Plaza and party store, Party Magic. Customers knew Paul as the kind man who delivered helium and made balloon creations. In 2005, Paul built his family dream home at Bear Creek Ranch in Walnut Shade.

2015 brought new joy as Paul became a doting grandfather to Emii Dawn, the new center of his world. Paul’s greatest loves were his family, including his beloved dogs, and maintaining Bear Creek Ranch. He was happiest on his tractor digging in the rocks or tinkering in the garage, where he could build and fix almost anything. His life’s purpose has always been rooted in humble service to the ones he loved, through cooking, building, fixing, repairing, and doing for others.

Paul will always be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, devotion to his family, love of a good bargain, pride in his delicious cooking, and his one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He always kept his family on their toes with his quirky inventions, his bulk bargain buys, and his unmatched wit. He never sent anyone home without food. He never asked for anything in return. Anyone who knew Paul knew he was truly one-of-a-kind.

Paul leaves behind his devoted wife Paula, daughters Miko McFarland and Kodii Moriuchi, granddaughter Emii, and sisters Jan Queen, Vivan Cobb, and Zoanne Moriuchi-Bright, and many family and friends who loved him dearly. Paul is preceded in death by his mother, Suzanne Moriuchi, brother, Dennis Moriuchi, and father, Frank Moriuchi.

A private celebration of life will be held at the family home, honoring a loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend.

Arangements were under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson.