Mitsuo Nakanishi

Mitsuo Nakanishi was born on January 26, 1928 in Isleton, California to Kaneichi and Tatsu Nakanishi of Hiroshima, Japan. He was the eighth child of nine children. There were five girls and four boys. The family's business was farming. They raised pears, tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupes, beans and carrots.

Mitsuo attended grade school at Isleton Union Grammer School in Isleton, California up to the eighth grade. His high school classes were at various war relocation camps during WWII when United States was at war with Japan, Germany and Italy. His freshman year in high school was in a war relocation camp in Tule Lake, California. His sophomore year in high school was in a war relocation camp in Jerome, Arkansas. His junior year in high school was a war relocation camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. His senior year in high school he attended half of his senior year at South Bend Central High School in South Bend, Indiana. Then he attended West High School in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated in June 1946.

After graduation he got a job with a firm that manufactured storm windows. He was a gas welder on an assembly line where he worked for three years. He then attended school to learn arc welding and worked for a company that made gas tanks for semi-trailers.

The Korean War delayed his college education. He was drafted into the army when the United States became involved in the Korean War and served for two years. Following his discharge from the army, he enrolled at Ohio University to become a teacher and majored in biology. He graduated in June 1956 and taught seventh grade English and science for five years at Grafton School in Grafton, Ohio. He did not enjoy teaching and got a job as a medical technologist at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital in 1963 and worked there until his retirement in 1988.

He met Mary Yamamoto in 1966 and they married on August 24th 1968. Together they traveled all over the United States, Hawaii and Japan. They bought a home in Renton Washington, in 1988. They became active members of the Japanese Baptist Church. In his retirement he enjoyed playing tennis, pickle ball and gardening. Mits spent many happy times and holidays with Mary’s Yamamoto side of the family: Shim, Tatsuo his wife Kinuyo and their children, Dennis his wife Kathy (deceased), Stephen and his wife Carol and their sons, Marcus his wife Amy and their sons Mylo and Kai, Derek & Kyle his wife Lisa, Stan his children Mariko and her husband Casey and their sons Leon & Enzo & David his wife Gi and their son Kai, Sonya, Donna her husband Bryce.

Mits was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary, his father Kaneichi and his mother Tatsu, his five sisters, Kinuyo, Kamiyo, Sueko, Yoshiko, Yuki his three brothers, George, Shigeo and Hideo. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Nephew Takayuki Sugimoto (deceased) his wife Jane (deceased) their daughters Stephanie, Suzanne, and their son Jonathan.

His niece Aki and her husband Dr. Albert Noda and their two sons Michael and Kent.

His nephew Lou Sugimoto and his wife Amy (deceased) their daughters Kristina, and Nicole.

Nephew Kenneth Arie (deceased). He is survived by his wife Natividad and daughter Margaret.

Niece Libby Young, James Young and daughter Katie.

Niece Janice Faden, and her husband Michael Faden and her daughters Lisa (deceased) and Julie.

Nephew Gerald Sakaguchi (deceased) their sons Bradley and Douglas and daughter Michiko.

Niece April Hallas, her husband Andy and daughters Amanda and Amber.

Nephew Todd Nakanishi, wife Sally and their daughters Katie and Amy.

Nephew Greg Nakanishi, his wife Sue and their sons Bradley and Kurt.

Nephew Richy Sakaguchi, his wife Linda and their daughters Alexa and Katie.

Nephew Eric Nakanishi, his wife Alison, their sons Elliott and Sam.

Nephew Everett Nakanishi and their sons Akira and Duncan and daughter Natasha.

Nephew Ross Nakanishi.

After Mary’s passing, he spent many happy years in his house. Mits extends his deepest gratitude to his caregivers, Ane Kalapa and several of her daughters, Salote Leota, Akanessi Fineissoloi, Suessa Naulu, her daughter-in-law Lavinia Naulu and Nia for their compassionate care and kindness.

On March 25th 2025 Mits retired to Merrill Gardens where he lived out his life.

Mits also thanks his church and Merrill Gardens friends and neighbors for their friendship.

We will all miss Mits. He was a kind & gentle soul.

May he rest in peace and join those whom he missed dearly.

Remembrances may be made to the Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway Ave., Seattle, WA 98122 or in Mits's name to the charity of your choice.

There will be a graveside ceremony at Greenwood Memorial Park. 350 Monroe Ave. NE. Renton, WA 98056. Date and time TBA.