Masao Nakashima

Mas was born on December 1, 1922 to Masakazu and Kiyoko Nakashima in a ranch house in Caruthers, CA. He attended Caruthers High School where he played the clarinet in the band. He was active at the Monmouth Young Buddhist Association.

During World War II, the Nakashima Family was relocated to the Fresno County Assembly Center and later to Jerome, Arkansas and Gila River, Arizona concentration camps. When allowed to work outside of camp, Mas went to chop sugar beets in South Dakota and later, to Cleveland, to work in a machine shop. In 1945, he was drafted and went to Camp Hood, Texas for basic training. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany in the 627 Field Artillery Unit.

When the war ended, he returned to the Caruthers family farm in 1946. Mas married Fujiye Jean Yoshioka on July 15, 1950. Over the course of 10 years, he expanded his ranches, and grew cotton, wine grapes and raisins. Mas was active in Sun-Maid Raisin Company, Nisei Farmer's League, Bowles Buddhist Church, Bowles Shinwakai, Fresno Betsuin Temple, Fresno Betsuin Senior Club, Fresno Chuka Nikkei Jinkai Club, Chuka Kumamoto Shinwakai Club and Selma JACL.

Mas was an avid fisherman and loved clamming and abalone hunting. He traveled extensively through out the world passing out penny pack Sun-Maid raisins. He loved gambling at the casinos, dancing and talked to everyone in sight!

Mas was preceded in death by his father, Masakazu Nakashima; mother, Kiyoko Nakashima; brother, Shoji Nakashima, and sister, Kimiko Nakashima.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Fujiye Jean Nakashima; son, Mitchell Nakashima and wife, Lynn; daughter, Elaine Tamura and husband, Jun; grandchildren, Jared Nakashima and wife, Alina, Stacey Nakashima, and Jaclyn Tamura; great grandson, Camden Nakashima, and many other family members.

The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Dennis Nakata, Dr. Joseph Pascuzzo, Dr. Steve Su, and Dr. Michael Gen for their many years of exceptional care. Special thank you to Smith Home Care owner, Beth Tezak, and caregivers, Apple Dugquem, Ofelia Siagon and Evon Naval; Right at Home In-Home Care and caregiver, Sally Phillips, for their loving care and compassion. Thank you to Community Regional Medical Center's Doctors, Staff, Palliative Care Services, and Nancy Hinds Hospice for their care and compassion. We would like to acknowledge our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Bert, Yolanda, Damian and Sonia Sanchez for always being there for Mas.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Lisle Funeral Home on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm.