Wayne M Nakanishi

Wayne Masayuki, age 82, of Seattle, Washington, passed away at Providence Swedish Hospital (Cherry Hill) on June 6, 2026 due to complications of a stroke.

Wayne was born in Wyoming, January 20, 1944 at Heart Mountain Internment Camp to Shizuchi and Naomi (Ishikawa), from Japan.

He was the second youngest, following Shizuko, Tadashi, Teruko, Ray, and before Rodger.

The family was released from Heart Mountain Internment Camp in 1945, and returned to the Seattle area. Wayne’s earlier school years were at Boulevard-Park Elementary, Meany Middle School, and Garfield High School. Upon graduation from Garfield, he attended the University of Washington, and received his Bachelor degree.

After college, Wayne pursued a professional career in public accounting. He received his professional license to practice in the State of Washington as a Certified Public Accountant in 1974. He set up his self-employed practice in the Historical section of the International District, and years later moved his office, and practice to the Industrial area. He had a robust practice, serving a variety of individual clients, small businesses and non-profit agencies. He retired in his early seventies, but for several years continued to serve a small number of clients from his home.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Wayne enjoyed golfing in Seattle, as well attending annual golfing tournaments in Las Vegas. He loved playing co-ed volleyball with the spirited church groups at Japanese Baptist Church, and enjoyed years of practicing Kundalini Yoga at Jefferson Community Center. His monthly highlight, up until recently, was playing Poker with his longtime buddies.

Wayne met his wife Carol (Roxborough) in 1982 through a mutual business client, and were married in 1984. Over the ensuing years, they enjoyed the comfort of their home, their beautiful garden, passionately cared for and maintained by Wayne, as well as traveling solo and with friends.

Wayne enjoyed being with his family, and social gatherings were centered around food, sports’ talk, peppered by his quiet sense of humor. Xmas bash at our home was no exception - Wayne’s famous “No Beans Chili” was on the menu, and of course, the anticipated Xmas gift exchange to “steal or not to steal” - steal was the rule. The evening ended with the annual photo of all the cousins on the living room stairs, a precious keepsake.

A private inurnment will be held for the family on June 20, 2026, and there will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 11 at 3pm at the Jefferson Community Center (3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108) for a time to gather together with family, friends, food and share some tears, laughter, and celebrate the amazing life he had, and his love for us.