Katsuyoshi "Kats" Nishimura

Katsuyoshi Nishimura, 86, of Ventura, died Wednesday, January 25, 2012, following a sudden illness. He was born May 8, 1925 in Hilo, Hawaii. His father was an immigrant Japanese fisherman and his mother a picture bride from Japan. He attended McKinley High School in Honolulu.

Katsuyoshi served as an interpreter in the MIS (Military Intelligence Service) for the United States Army during World War II, traveling thought-out Southeast Asia. With the G.I. Bill, he attended Purdue University where he received a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He was employed as a civil engineer with the U.S. Navy, living in Japan for nine years, Arlington, Virginia for two years and finally to California, stationed at Port Hueneme, retiring in 1986, after 30 years. In retirement he enjoyed the Hawaii Club (Hui Lima Kokua), and working on landscaping his backyard.

Katsuyoshi is survived by his wife of 14 years, Kim Nishimura of Ventura; daughter, Lyn Nishimura of Redondo Beach; son, Ken Nishimura of Reedsport, Oregon; sister Masayo Fujikami of Honolulu, Hawaii; brother-in-law, Howard Furuya, of Kaneohe, Hawaii. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosalie Nishimura in November 1987 and son, Arn Nishimura in April 1978.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012, 4:00 p.m., at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura with The Reverend Dan Hull officiating. Burial will take place in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.