Kenzo Tsubai

October 13, 1950 to May 23, 2026

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Kenzo Tsubai died on May 23, 2026 from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on October 13, 1950 in Osaka, Japan to Harushige and Machie Tsubai, the youngest of three brothers. He immigrated to the United States in 1973 and lived in Manhattan for three years before moving to Houston, where for over forty years he owned and operated the popular Kenzo Hair Salon.

Ken was, quite simply, a good man. People gravitated toward his quiet steadfastness, perennially upbeat outlook on life, and total transparency. He was never petty or mean, never played games, and was a stranger to upset and anger. “I am a happy man”, he’d often say. He adored his wife and daughter, loved his friends, and appreciated his clients.

In addition to the salon, Ken was an entrepreneur and inventor. He held several international device patents, including one for the Frogpad, an innovative one-handed computer keyboard. It was manufactured and successfully used by scores of people, including those who sought accessibility due to a missing or disabled hand.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother Seiji, and niece Yumi. He is survived by wife Elisabeth (Libby), daughter Miko, brother Haruo, and three nephews.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 20 in the main sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church Midtown, 1015 Holman, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers or other tributes please make a donation in Ken’s memory to Beyond Legacy, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides compassionate end-of-life support, planning, and education. www.beyondlegacy.org