Thomas (Tom) H. Nakata

Thomas (Tom) Nakata was born on April 26, 1932, in Denver, Colorado to James Tadashi Nakata and Doris Ayako Nakata. He was the oldest of four children. They grew up in Fort Lupton, Colorado and lived and worked on the family’s vegetable farm. Because the family lived in Colorado and the State Governor was sympathetic to the Japanese Americans, Tom and his family were not interned to a relocation camp.

When Tom was 18 years old, he was drafted into the army out of high school. He served his boot camp time in Fort Riley, Kansas. When he received orders in the 10th Infantry Division to report to Germany at the time of the Korean War, he was assigned to the work directly for the Captain as his personal secretary. Tom always talked about his service time in Germany and how much he loved Germany. With his discharge as a Corporal he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and the Good Conduct Medal.

In 1963 Tom met the love of his life, Majorie (Marge) Masako Yoshida, and they were married in 1964 at the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple. After getting married they worked on the family farm and also took in Marge’s mother to live with them.

In 1966 they welcomed their first born, daughter Lori Tomoko. In 1968 they welcomed their twin sons Kent Tadao and Kurt Eiichi. Tom began working at the Ridge Home Center for the handicapped and took night classes Metro State College. Tom and Marge both went on to work for the Capital Office Supply while raising their three children. The career Tom felt most proud of was his supervisory role for the State Highway Department. He and his crew were in charge of maintaining many roads locally in Adams County as well as road maintenance and snow removal in other locations such as at the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Tom enjoyed and took pride in his voluntary work in the Brighton community. He was recognized as one of the key volunteers at the Brighton Senior Center and was an active member of the Brighton Japanese American Association. With the BJAA he managed several services offered at the Annual Chow Mein Dinner. He and Marge also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and would take their grandkids, Chris and Lindsay, around Brighton every Monday to deliver warm meals to many residents of Brighton.

After his first retirement, Tom went on to work at Walmart and Inglenook at Brighton Senior Living Community. He took care of the gardens at Inglenook and the Brighton Senior Center, planting flowers every spring and maintaining the grounds. He would be outside watering the flowers even in cold temperatures, he never missed a day of work. If you ever spoke with Tom he would tell you he worked for

Inglenook for over 20 years and he “retired 4 times!”. At 92 years old, he still worked up to his life’s last days. In the last few years, as movement was getting more difficult for him from hurting his knees during his military service, Tom’s gardening role changed to becoming Inglenook’s Ambassador. His new role included greeting new residents and helping them get acquainted with their new home. Inglenook also created an indoor garden in his honor enabling him to continue caring for and maintaining plants and flowers, but more safely in an indoor environment. During all his years working at Inglenook, he proudly wore his work badge every single day.

On top of his work duties, Thomas loved spending time with his family including his kids, grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Thomas rarely missed a dance recital, band

performance, graduation, or sporting event. He was present for every holiday with family and made sure every family member received a special card picked by him for their birthdays. He also never wanted to miss a single day of bingo at Inglenook. He took pride in his important role of handing out the bingo cards.

Thomas was surrounded by the love of his family in his last days. He was still determined to get himself dressed to get to work. He was one of the hardest working, sweetest, and strongest men. He was one of a kind, a wonderful part of his community, and adored by his family. He is and will always be greatly missed.

Tom is survived by his daughter Lori Dighero (Gregory), sons Kent (Jen) and Kurt (Stacy), his sister Reiko Nakata Perkins (Don) and brother Gary. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chris (Brielle), Lindsay (Nate), Talley, Colson, Travis (Heather), Tyler, Dakota, Kaleb, and Lilli; along with his great grandchildren Lincoln, Charlie, Briley, Jaycie, Coraline, and Pax. He is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie, both parents James and Doris, his brother Roy, and his great niece Jade Skye Perkins.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, January 31st, 10 a.m., Olinger Funeral and Cemetery – Highland, 10201 Grant Steet, Thornton, Colorado, 80229. Burial and internment to follow at 12:00 p.m. (same location. Afterwards, friends and family are invited to join Tom’s loved ones at the Prost Brewing Company, 351 W 104th Ave, Unit A, Northglenn, CO 80234, for food and beverages to celebrate Tom’s life.