Toshiko Potter Obituary

Toshiko Wachi Potter

January 16, 2026

JOHNSON CITY - Toshiko Wachi Potter, 78, of Johnson City, passed away on Friday, January 16th, at her home with family members and friends at her bedside.

She was the daughter of the late Komakichi Mori and Haruko Wachi of Tokyo, Japan.

Toshiko was born and educated in Tokyo, Japan. She was married to Sgt. Robert F. Potter at the American Embassy in Tokyo on December 14th, 1970. Robert, Toshiko, and baby girl, Mika, began their new life together at Travis AFB in February of 1971. On October 28th of 1972, they loaded all their possessions in and on top of a 1966 Austin Healy Sprite - with baby Mika - bundled up on the ledge behind the bucket seats and headed eastward through heavy snow across Oklahoma and the Great Plains to Johnson City, Tennessee. With the exception of a four-year stint for schooling in Memphis, Tennessee, Toshiko and family have made their home here in Johnson City.

This strikingly attractive and athletic girl from the "Land of the Rising Sun" gave us a son, Reuben, and another daughter, Bobbie, with whom she shared many adventures, athletic endeavors, and interesting exploits. She was a fierce and protective mother.

She enjoyed cooking, fine Japanese cuisine, fishing, beach trips, and loved English bulldogs. Her jobs ranged from collecting mulberry leaves for the silkworm industry as a child in Japan, to teaching Japanese to chemical engineers at Eastman.

She was an excellent athlete and distance runner, having run several full marathons as well as many 5 and 10k events during the late 70's, 80's, and early 90's - many of which she would finish as overall female winner or age group winner.

In addition to her parents, Toshiko was preceded in death by a sister (Yoshiko Zak) and her oldest daughter (Mika)

Toshiko is survived by her husband, Bob Potter, son Reuben Potter (Rachel) with grandchildren, Maeve and Neva Potter, daughter, Bobbie Potter Grindstaff (Don), with granddaughter Midori Potter DePriest, and her father Eddie DePriest; brother-in-law, William E. Potter (Robin), niece Merri Paige Paque, nephew Andrew Potter, and brother-in-law Blaine Roper (Gina).

There will be no formal services, per Toshiko's request.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family online at www.snydersmemorialgardens.com.

Snyder's Memorial is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Toshiko Wachi Potter.