Photos Brian Bielmann
Tamayo Perry, a beloved figure in the surfing community, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 49.
He is survived by his wife Emilia, friends, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched through his surfing, and actor and as a Honolulu Lifeguard. The world has lost a true icon of the surf culture, but Tamayo’s legacy will live on in the waves and in the hearts of those who knew him.
Below are some words in print about Tamayo. From his beautiful service and paddle out . And a few of the millions on social media.
Emelia Perry
I know that we’ll be what I ask for with every prayer as I move forward without you tomorrow, physically by my side. I was lucky to have him for so many years. What a blessed life we lived together. We traveled the world, surfed a lot, and spent a lot of time together every day, doing everything and also nothing. I’m grateful for the past 26 years—what a chapter. I will continue forward with my next chapter in life, carrying his message with me and sharing it with all who I encounter. We will meet again. I promise.
I’d like to end by quoting some of Tamara’s very recent words, sent via text to good friends. It was really beautiful and comforting for me to read these words just days after he passed. I hope it brings you some comfort as well.
Tamara’s words to Amelia:
“I can’t wait to meet the King. I’m excited, not scared. For my friends and family who think we’ve got plenty of time to ignore what’s happening right in front of our eyes, we’ve got to pray and forgive and love. Not compromise our faith and His word, but genuinely love. Jesus is real. He is the true escape. I’m ready to jump on that Zion train. That Zion train is coming our way.”
Anyway, Pipeline is where I met Tamara and where he asked me to marry him, where we spent a majority of our relationship. It is where I will lay him to rest. Thank you for all your love and support, and God bless you all. Thank you.
Jack Johnson
Tamayo was the best person I knew. He had such a strong moral compass; he just knew right from wrong. He definitely shaped our whole friend group.
I’ve known him for about 40 years now, but even if you knew him for just one day or two, you would get to know him because he was so open. He was so ready for the experience of life.
He enjoyed conversation so much. He loved people. He loved telling stories, but he also loved listening to stories. He loved to laugh more than anybody I knew. For me, if I could make him laugh, that was just the biggest accomplishment—it made me feel so good. The very first time we met, that was what happened.
It was school, second period, and he sat right next to me. He starts going off about whoever the teacher was—I forget who it was now—saying how mean she was and all this stuff. I’m sitting there and saw the perfect opportunity. I only knew this guy for like 30 seconds at this point. I looked over and said, “Hey, that’s my mom.” You guys have never seen— I know you know Tamayo well—but you’ve never seen him backpedal like this. He started apologizing, saying, “Hey, I am so sorry. I don’t know why I said that. She’s actually really cool. I was just trying to be cool, you know, making new friends and stuff.” Then I looked at him and said, “Nah, I’m just kidding.”
Tamayo looked at me for a while, like he didn’t know if he should be mad. He just stared at me, sizing me up. Then he started laughing so hard, like I’d never seen anybody laugh that hard. That was the first thing I remember about him. I was just like, I love this guy.
Pastor JD Farag
Big personality, big smile. In fact, I think he even slept smiling. He never stopped smiling. He would sit right in the front row with big eyes, big smile, big personality, and a big presence.
Why did God allow that to happen? Don’t ask that. Instead, ask what. Instead of asking God why this happened, ask God what He wants to show you because this happened.
Here’s another thing he’d want me to say to you. He’d want me to say that we’re all one step away from our own death. But we are also one step away from eternal life.
This brings me to the most important thing, and I know this without question. The one thing I could just see him telling me is, “Pastor JD, you gotta tell them about Jesus and the gospel of salvation. ‘Cause I wanna see them again. I can’t come back down there, and I wouldn’t even if I could, but they could come up here.”
alexflorence ❤
rochelleballard So wild ❤🙏
panchosullivan💔💔🙏 Heartbreaking! Such a tragic loss. His pure heart and genuine enthusiasm for life and riding waves was truly infectious. I will miss you my friend. Rest in paradise 🙏🏼
moana.17 💔
ka Ito Mālama pono e ‘Ohana Perry🙏🏾
mfanno ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
photogordinho Tamayo Perry-RIP🙏#photogordinho
jenneifertema1 Showed us how to save lives, be brave, have faith, love & regulated those who needed it. Rest in love Tamayo & so much love & prayers to you and your family @emiliaperry 🙏💞
john_john_florence Some of my best memories surfing Pipe when I was young were getting to watch Tamayo stand tall in 10-12 ft Pipe barrels, coming out smiling every time. I loved Tamayo and learned from him because he always told you how it was. Every day, whether he was in the water or being a lifeguard, he always had a big smile for our family. We will miss you Tamayo. Sending our love to his wife Emilia and family.
torreymeister 💔🙏🏻😢
barton_lynch Love you guys ❤️ anything anytime
casualluke ❤️❤️❤️
healeywaterdrops Love to the Perry’s. I’m going to miss him.
tomservaisjr So tragic, shocking. Such a great human being, we definitely will miss seeing him coming out of the water at pipe and hanging out with us on the beach.
rochelleballard So wild 💔🙏
rjsurfboards 🙏❤️
erikaederphotography what a shocker. so sorry to hear.🙏🙏❤️
kimogaspar Solid human being ❤️ RIP Tamayo 🙏🏽 Love you braddah 👊🏽
jacksnyder1 ❤️ great dude pure heart 🙌
rabbitbartholomew 🙏🏼❤️ such a great guy, a master out at Pipe
mitchell.james.mcewen ❤️❤️❤️😢
kellyslater ❤️❤️❤️
luanasilva_ Lots of love Emilia ❤️
landon_mcnamara Aloha Spirit lived in him ❤️ all my love to the Perry’s in this time
leahloves Love as pure as it gets ❤️❤️❤️ my heart is with you
joelcenteio Legend🙏🏽
brianbielmann Oh my gosh tears in my eyes what a privilege to call him our friend!!!!
shanebeschen ❤❤🙏🙏 So sorry Emilia and family.
mikestewart ❤️
mikecoots ♥️♥️♥️♥️
christianhosoi In confidence because of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross for us… Tamayo is in heaven carving the clouds and worshiping the one and only true God… who saves… who delivers… who sets free… in this world… I know I will see you again my brother… 🙏🏽 till we meet in the line up in heaven… hold it down!!! I’m blessed that I had a chance to meet you in this world… ❤️✝️ Condolences to @emiliaperry Ohana and friends… 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 🙏🏽✝️🙏🏽
kealakennelly Such an amazing charger and friend to all. Such a tragic loss. Sending love to Amelia and the families 💔
kaulanaapo May you surf the best barrels forever RIP Tamayo ♾️🕊️❤️🙏🏼
drewbrophy Hard to read this, You were always so kind to me when we were young,forever grateful, prayers to all your family.
paigealms Such a kind soul, he will be missed. Prayers for Emalia 🙏🙏🙏
sheldondoggydoor 💔💔💔
suzimilosky ❤❤
nicvonrupp Rip legend
coconogales Opening my eyes this morning to this sad news 💔
One of the nicest humans and loving person, Rest in Paradise My dear friend Tamayo 🙏🏼❤️