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BORN
1928
DIED
2015
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Wesley Yamaka Obituary
November 16, 1928 - March 12, 2015
Wesley Yamaka, Methodist minister, graphic artist, and social justice advocate, died on Thursday, March 12, 2015 from a long-term illness.
Wes, the youngest of five brothers, was born on November 16, 1928 to Yuzuru and Teru Yamaka in Seattle, WA. He graduated from Moapa Valley High School in Overton, Nevada, and loved to recount the story about catching the winning touchdown in the state championship football game. He received degrees from Chapman College, Pacific School of Religion and Harvard Divinity School.
Wes met his wife-to-be, Akiko Rose Sase, while a student at Chapman College in Los Angeles. They were wed in August of 1953.
Wes was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Livingston, CA, Seattle, WA, San Jose, CA, Monterey Park, CA and Portland, OR. In addition, Wes and his family lived in Columbia, Maryland for 20 years, where he worked with the Columbia Cooperative Ministry (Columbia, MD) and Board of Church and Society in Washington, D.C. To many, Wes is best known as a visionary graphic artist, whose signature silk screen prints incorporated words and images to create powerful messages of social justice and peace. His artwork is still treasured by many. His lifelong passion for peace and social justice issues was formed, in no small part, by his experience living in the Japanese American internment camps as a teenager during World War II.
Wes was a caring and compassionate person, and instantly a friend to anyone he met. He was a lover of books, Japanese food, classical music, golf and watching Oregon Duck sports. Most of all, Wes cherished the relationships he formed with friends from coast to coast, and the time he spent with family—especially his adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rose; sons, Matt (Jo) and Dave (Julie); grandchildren, Sara (Xavi), Stephanie (Michael) and Kevin; and two great-grandchildren, Ona and Nora.
There will be celebration of life for Wes at Jason Lee United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 11th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jason Lee Community Food Bank, 820 Jefferson St. NE, Salem, OR 97301.
On May 30 (11am), a celebration of life will be held in Los Angeles at the Centenary United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wesley Yamaka
dianne connelly
April 6, 2015
a great and glorious human being has passed---in your presence, beloved wes, i know life as the holiness of love--i still do. i will stay in practice until my last breath. thank you.
we are early family of tai sophia. pace e bene dianne
Jaydee Hanson
March 25, 2015
Rose and Wes' family. I was so honored to have worked with your father while we were both at the Board of Church and Society. We are proud to have one of his prints of MLK Jr on our wall at home. What a fine man he was. I also learned that his father pastored in Vacaville, my home town before the war. God bless you all.
Carol Barton
March 23, 2015
I had the privilege of working with Wes at the General Board of Church and Society in the 80s. I appreciated his gentle wisdom, his commitment to social justice, and his wonderful gift of art. Wes will be missed.
March 22, 2015
Wes and Rose, My family has oh such fondness and love for you and your family! With thoughtful prayers... Stuart Rodes [also on behalf of Jean and Dick Rodes who have passed on as well].
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Rev. Dave Bean
March 21, 2015
Wes was generous in his support of ministries of justice. His graphic designs for our annual MFSA awards were always done with great care and craftsmanship and typically donated at no cost. He is deeply appreciated and will be greatly missed. May the grief felt in his loss be gentled by the gentle spirit with which he lived and held in the tender mercies of the Spirit that still connects and holds us all.
Ken Ransom
March 21, 2015
Very sorry to hear of your father passing Dave. He was a very kind, gentle and compassionate man and I am very happy we all had the opportunity to meet him. God Bless.
Thom White Wolf Fassett
March 21, 2015
We all have lost such a superb human being--a man who witnessed to the best and most precious of human caring and a lover of peace and justice. Wes will be memorialized in each of us who knew him and in the ministries he served. Peace and love to Rose and the family as you celebrate the life of Wes.
Jeri Mckie
March 21, 2015
Was blessed to work with Wes. God blessed us with his presence among us. GBCS and his advocacy was what justice is all about.
March 21, 2015
Wes was a light in my life. He will be so missed.
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