Mineo Kelly "K.Y." Yamaoka, 77, of Marengo, passed away at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at his home in Peoria. Kelly was born on October 20, 1944, in Newell, CA, the son of Tsugio Albert Yamaoka and Teruko Carole (Hamakami) Yamaoka.
He graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He spent his entire life working as a pharmacist, owning his own pharmacy as well as working for Enloe Drug Company, Omnicare and Extended Pharmacy.
Kelly was an avid motorcyclist from the age of 13. He rode 53 motorcycles over 64 years. He was a second degree black belt and could often be found honing his 9-ball skills. He was loved by all and can be forgotten by none.
Kelly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Yamaoka; daughters, Tiffany (Dimitri) Uhlik, Erin Yamaoka (Nimesh Gadoya), Kristi Yamaoka, Kim (Eric) Shipman, and Angela (Brian) Terry; grandchildren, Milena Uhlik, Alexander Uhlik, Adelynn Yamaoka, and Amari Gadoya; siblings, Sheri Yerk, Linda Yamaoka, David Yamaoka, Patty Nighswanger, and Greg McDaniel; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members from the Yamaoka and Hamakami families.
Kelly’s memorial visitation will be held at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home on Friday, May 6, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Military honors will be administered at 4:00 pm also on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at https://mrf.org/donate/.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be left for Kelly’s family at www.woolsey-wilton.com.
