Kazumi Oda

Kazumi “Kaz” Oda, 96, of Portland, passed away on January 7, 2016. Kaz was raised on a farm in the Portland area with his two siblings, Tosh and Miki. Kaz enlisted with the US Army after graduating from high school and was a member of the WWII 442nd RCT, Japanese American “Go For Broke” unit. After three years of service in the Army, Kaz re-enlisted with the US Air Force and retired after 20 years of honorable military service. Kaz earned many medals during his time in the service, including a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, US Congressional Gold Medal, and the France National Order of the Legion of Honour. Shortly after the end of WWII, he married his first wife, Hisako “Nancy” Kanai and together they had one son, Ronald. After leaving the military, Kaz worked for the Bonneville Power Administration and retired from there after 20 years of service. In 1962, Kaz married Leiko Yasutake and they were together until Leiko’s passing in 1990. Kaz enjoyed RVing, clamming, fishing, ham radioing, and maintaining his vegetable garden. He was also a Winterhawks and Trail Blazer fan. A true gentleman, patriotic and intelligent are just a few of the many words used to describe Kaz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Leiko; step son, William Lee Nakamura; brother, Tosh Oda; and brother-in-law, Art Higashi Sr. Kaz is survived by his son, Ronald Lee Oda, McMurray, PA; sister, Miki Higashi, Dallas, OR; sister-in-law, Tamiko Nakamura, Portland, OR; nephews, Art Higashi Jr. (Christie), Larry Higashi (Maryann), Dallas, OR; niece, Julie Nakamura, Portland, OR; and his extended family at Powell Valley Assisted Living, including Ami Kinoshita, Sumi Ikata, and Jean Robinson. A memorial service will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 15th at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America or any other military organization in memory of Kazumi Oda.