Donald Koichi Akira

Donald Koichi "Ko" Akira passed away on May 20, 2024, the Year of the Dragon. Born in Alhambra, CA, May 10, 1940, to Yasukichi and Yaeko Akira, he was the second oldest of four children. Donald, his older sister, and family were taken from their homes and incarcerated in 1942 in Gila, Arizona. They returned to California four years later. Donald graduated from John Muir High School in Pasadena. He attended University of Michigan where he earned his degree in Architecture in 1962.

Donald began his career in architecture at the firm of Stoddard and Huggard in Seattle in 1962. He then started at Waldron and Dietz in 1965 where he practiced for 45 years. Through those years there were recursions of "Waldron, Pomeroy, Polk, Smith, Foote, Akira". In 1990, the firm became Waldron Akira and Donald retired the firm in 2010. He was on the Board of Edmonds College, the Board of the Adult Buddhist Association of the Seattle Betsuin and helped design the Wisteria Plaza of the Seattle Betsuin.

He enjoyed attending sporting events, concerts, and performances of his two grandchildren, Ana and Brayden. Donald was looking forward to resuming his golf days with his buddies and painting at his watercolor easel.

Donald is survived by his wife, Karen, daughters Gaylen Akira and Lori Tanaka (David), grandchildren Ana and Brayden (Tanaka), sisters Joan Macfarlane, Donna Kondo (Dennis), Jeanne Sugano (Takashi) and brother-in-law Keisuke (Ken) Iwamura.

Remembrances can be made to the Seattle Buddhist Church, "Arson Restoration & Building Fund" or to your organization of choice.

Seattle Betsuin 1427 S. Main Street, Seattle, WA 98144 - www.SeattleBetsuin.com