We have been blessed with Shelton's friendship through the years. He was a kind and caring person who not only loved Jesus, but loved sharing Him through his words, thoughts and deeds. We look forward to the big reunion day when Jesus returns to take us Home!  Till then, Aloha and rest well!

We remember Shelton for his bubbly personality and generous nature. Whenever we met him with Pat in Singapore, he was always cheerful, with a ready smile.  
When Shelton found out that Pat, who has been giving beautiful dresses to our daughter Isabella over the years, was shopping for a dress gift for her, he went shopping with Pat and insisted on buying two beautiful dresses from an expensive high-end shopping mall simply because it was good quality and they could not get anything less for a gift. 
We wish we could have many more years of getting to know Shelton better and although this  is not to be, we know  that God knows what's best for us. 
We praise God that Shelton has been a blessing to the people he comes in contact with and look forward to meeting him in our heavenly home. 

David and Amelia Chow, Singapore

"So Happy" is how I describe Shelton, every time Grace & I would visit Southern CA and visit the Nakatas. We are going to miss his laugh, his optimism, and smile. Lai-Teng, we grieve with you but are comforted that some day you will be reunited with him. 

Nakata family,

I had the privilege to share surveys with Shelton. He was always so happy and his enthusiasm was contagious.  Skelton left a print in all who met him.

Rest In Peace my dear friend. You will always be remembered 🙏🏻

Irina Ngo

Hi Shelton,

You and I have worked in the same office for many years and do you remember how we talked about retirement and RVing? I think you are truly and happily enjoying your retirement now. Rest in peace and the footprint that you leave behind may be small but the memories of you will be with many including me.



Shelton and Pat are one of the most cheerful and generous couples I have seen. Shelton is so very easy to get along. His signature potatoes salad is definitely my all time favorite. Potluck at Mission  Road Church is famous for our potluck- I think it is because of Shelton 's potatoes salad. 
Shelton is deeply grounded in the LORD. We will all get together.  We will get his famous potatoes 🥔 salad and Pat's famous Hawaiian 's cake besides Singapore's Kueh Tieu.
Let's not grieve like those that don't know the Almighty Redeemer and Resurrector. We will see Shelton in a short while. Amen.


From the time that I met Shelton at Hawaiian Mission Academy, (high school) I  have admired how Shelton worked with everything that he had, worked with so much energy, taking no shortcuts!  I loved to "talk story" with him.  I know he Loved God with all of his heart and looked forward to Jesus' Second Coming!  I miss Shelton.

Uncle Shelton was always a funny guy. I've never met anyone quite like him. He would call me "Mitchellani". He would teach me and Ray Ray all the insults and slang words in Hawaiian pidgin. I have very fond memories of going to his house in December for Christmas every few years. He would light the fireplace for us to keep us warm and cozy in the night. Once, he drove us from morning till night through the California plains, desert, and hills to bring us to a ski resort so we could see snow for the first time. He always made us laugh and cared for us. I will always miss his funny, comforting presence.

Shelton & his brothers were our familys classmates at Hawaiian Mission Academy. He was the hardest working friend you would ever need. If you needed something done, he had your back. He and his brother cooked for our wedding, helped us move & just had our back. We lost touch with him but when we joined Mission Road Church we got to see him more often. I loved his laugh and will miss him very much. We might have differed in political or spiritual ideas but he knew how to do acts of love. He was Love Does. 

I will always treasure the memories I have of Uncle Shelton: Him and Aunty Bobby coming to Singapore, waking us up with the sounds of them arriving and unpacking in our basement, us staying at the Yucaipa house, Uncle Shelton waking up early to make breakfast and cooking beef stew for dinner. This is a photo from 2013 when I was 11 and he helped me climb onto a tree in the garden.  I will miss him.

It was with very heavy heart and sadness when we heard of Shelton's passing.  We knew about his condition and have been praying for his recovery but God has other plans for him
I look forward to Shelton and Pat's visits to Singapore and always try to catch up with them
Shelton is remembered fondly for his chirpy, happy and friendly personality.  He is brave and always game to try new food wherever we bring him to in Singapore.  Sitting quietly and chiming in once in a while while Pat chit chat and laugh with us until she will forget to eat her food.  That was him, patient and supportive.  Like the Chinese saying goes "when the sky falls, just use it as a blanket to cover".
I look forward to the time when Jesus comes again and we will have more catch up sessions.  Dear Pat, may God and the sweet memories you have with him comfort you during this difficult period.  Shelton will be dearly missed by me and the "TCC Generation X" group!

Had fond memories of Shelton every time he visited Singapore. It had become a ritual every other year and we were always looking forward to his visit (with Pat of cos!). He is humble, down to earth and always great to have a conversation with. Thanks for the memories and he will always be missed!

A gentle soul with a big heart!  We shall miss you Shelton, but not for long. Looking forward to the resurrection morning for that glorious reunion with more eternal adventures to share.

When I look at all the beautiful, vibrant flowers blooming all over our property, it instantly brings me fond memories of my dear friend Shelton. He was not lying when he gave me the plants and said, “They will bloom at 10 a.m., or 11 a.m., when the sun is up. And if you want more of these weeds (gazanias), I will have more ready for you”.
It was such an honor and great privilege to have known him even only for such a brief time.
For those who knew him, all would agree how generous, sharing, helpful, and caring he was. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone without asking for anything in return.
I remember his funny stories, love for his country, discussing politics and books he read. And most of all, he loved his garden and always shared fruit from his trees.
I really wish he got a chance to see all the beautiful, colorful blossoms of the gazanias all over our place that he donated to us. And I wish there were more time to spend being able to share more laughter, stories, and hamburgers with him during his retirement.
A toast to you our dear “friend”, thank you for all the fond memories. You will be so missed, loved, and always be remembered.


I write with a heavy heart to remember fondly my closest cousin-in-law, Shelton. .his smiles ,laughter, generiousity, kindness, patience, enthusiasm and passion for life.

Fond memories of the numerous times when Pat and Shelton visited Singapore . The sparkle on his face whenever we go Kow-Kow at the food courts ...hokkien mee stall at Nex mall was his favourite for his snap shots.

I am in awe at his vast knowledge in almost anything.  There is never a dull moment with Shelton around.

Fond memories of my trip in 2019... with Pat and Shelton .. specially the canyons and the stay at their cozy home.

Mahalo, Shelton, thank you for all the wonderful memories ..cherished forever.

A Hui Hou..until we meet again.



Shelton! A treasured member of the October 21st birthday club-- Dr. Hamamura, Mr. Anzai, the Emotos, Shelton and Dean. Lots of laughs, kau kau/makan/food and friendship. Shelton and Pat were always laughing, teasing, giving, eating and working hard! Kind, genuine, and generous to their core! We have wonderful memories of Church events, potlucks, gatherings and fellowship--- usually with food involved! We treasure the times together, and look forward to a joyful reunion in Heaven! Pat, may God's loving arms surround you always! We love you! 

No words can describe our shock when we heard the passing of Shelton. To our family, especially the kids, he is Uncle Shelton. Always smiley, polite, patient, helpful, funny, generous. He was always ready to welcome us to his home last two decades, drove thousands of miles to bring us to wonderful places,, cooked us our favourite beef stew, set up the fireplace for us during Christmas, took the kids to explore the orange and apple trees. He never once raised his voice with the kids even when they can be trying at times. The kids remember him fondly for his good nature and humour, generous with the gifts. I always remember the 11 hour drive to Mammoth Lakes, walking through the snow as he led us to find a beautiful cabin and skiing with the kids for the first time. And Mitch would remember how Uncle Shelton teaching him some Hawaiian slangs which I can’t repeat here. Shelton visited us in Singapore every other year and he was always generous too when we went out to eat seafood – he would secretly go pay for the meal for everyone whenever he had the chance. I am glad I had the chance to take him for a stroll along our East Coast beach during our last meeting and we had a nice chat alone. In California and Singapore, I will treasure our chats on the news and politics. I always remember you enjoying your fried fish and roti prata, eating with your hands, at your favourite Syed’s Café where the waiters could remember you even though you only come once every two years.
Shelton, you are a decent human being, caring for your family, generous with friends, patient with the kids, a good loving husband. Shelton, you left us too soon. We treasure all those memories and we thank you for a good life lived which you shared so generously with us. Rest in peace in your eternal happy place. We miss you and we will never forget you. Our love also to Pat who shared Shelton with us. We will pray for you and we will always be around for you. Can’t wait to see you again soon. 
 
Quak
 

Whenever we think of Shelton, we always remember his big smile, friendly and joyous personality.  He is also the one who stays behind to clean up at our dinner parties! Shelton loves to tease Pat but Pat is always nonchalant about it. They are such a cute couple! We are so sad to hear about his passing and can hardly come up with any words. Our comfort is to know that he is now resting peacefully. We are here for you any day any time dear Pat. Attached is one of our party gatherings. We miss you so much Shelton!!!

Shelton always had a smile. When we drove together for survey's, he always greeted my hubby upon returning home at the end of the day. They talked about old cars, guns & reloading. He always said to me, "your good with money, huh?" Shelton always donated for gifts or presents, usually more than he needed to, & would say, "No take it, take it". His favorite place to eat was Wendy's. Good bye my sweet friend. Until we meet again. 

Our hearts were saddened when we heard Shelton was in the hospital and passed away shortly after. We knew him for about 25 years. To us, he was a thoughtful, kind, friendly, and responsible Hawaiian guy, always willing to lend a helping hand. 
We remember being very happy for them as Pat and him began to sit together at church before announcing they were dating. Their wedding was beautiful and I could tell they were so in love with each other.
Because of the love of God, Jesus died for Shelton. He will be waken up with others when the trumpet sounds. Until then, we will remember and miss him dearly. See you, brother Shelton!

So sad that Shelton passed away.  We haven't seen him since the onset of pandemic and are devastated that we will never see him again.  We certainly have a lot of fond memories of him.

We had many conversations over the years on variety of topics.  What sticks out to me most is the topic of politics.   Shelton had a very passionate conservative view.  I do treasure those discussions even though  it  can get little "heated" occasionally.  

We remember traveling together for the first time on a trip to Japan led by Shige Arakai.   Shelton, Pat, Hannah and I were apparently not  a seasoned travelers as our other travel companions on that trip.   We were made fun of as we carried probably double amount of luggage as others.

We remember another wonderful trip to China.  The picture of Shelton being carried up the hill on a "sedan taxi" by two skinny Chinese guys will forever be etched in our mind.

We will miss our favorite potluck dish which is Shelton's potato salad.  So good!  He had said many times: "you don't want to know how much mayonnaise I put in it. "

Memories are all we have.  We shall look forward to seeing him in heaven.  We will be looking forward to those potato salads.

Shelton loves his visits to Singapore and we in Singapore love having him  and Pat here.

They are funny, loving and quirky at the same time. Shelton enjoys the large variety of food here. We go ‘Kow-Kow,’ he often says - teaching us the Hawaiian word for ‘eat’. He enjoys roti prata ( a crispy flatbread), flavourful, spicy fare and even durians . 

Shelton’s strong faith is inspiring. He is generous, considerate and always ready to help.  He planted a papaya tree in our little garden; he bought a whole set of tools when I mentioned in passing that we needed to hang a picture. He was very good at timing jump shots and gamely did a few with me.  

We have many fond memories of Shelton - travelling with him to Hong Kong, Japan, China, Canada, Mammoth Lake and more. Words are not enough to describe our heavy hearts and the chasm that Shelton leaves behind . 

I imagine that Shelton will be smiling in his sleep that we are recounting all these wonderful memories .He has given us a lot of love and laughter. We hope that we too have added beautiful moments in his life. We are blessed that he is a part of our family . 

Thank you Shelton for everything . We will love and have you in our hearts  always.  

We will always remember Shelton as Pat's Aloha guy. Kind, other focused and down to earth.  We cherish our candid discussions over good Singapore food and feel so blessed to have shared moments where we got to know him and continue to learn more. Your sudden departure has been so hard for many,  but has served to remind us to seize the moment and live each day without regrets.  We shall miss you Shelton.  See you soon when we all are reunited with our God.

My friend Shelton was an extremely helpful individual. One time our door was too long, rubbing against the top rail. Shelton brought all his tools over, meticulously saw and sand away to make a perfect fit. Then there were his calla lily flowers. Knowing my wife liked to grow them, he transplanted them in pots and delivered over. 

Did you know Shelton was also a very romantic guy? Before their courtship began, Shelton sent a large bouquet of flowers to Pat's work. Not only was Pat impressed, but all her co-workers as well!

No doors need to be fixed in Heaven. But rest assured, Shelton, there will be plenty of calla lily and other flowers for you to enjoy and give away! Until then, have a good nap.

 We look forward to the day that the Lord will bring us all home.  I remember Shelton as always kind, cheerful and always ready to lend a hand.  I really enjoyed his company and will really, really miss him. 

Pat, wishing you strength in the caring of family and friends.

Having known Shelton for 28 years, I know the loving and caring man he was. 
I knew Shelton as a man  who would use his day off to help a friend with their ceiling project,  a man that would generously treat the office to bagels, just because, and a man that had many friends at both the San Bernardino Medi-Cal Field Office and RDO.  

Shelton, you were always very giving of your time , of yourself.
Rest In Peace, friend. 

OBITUARY

Shelton Saburo Nakata

October 21, 1950 – March 5, 2021

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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