TOM NAGATA

Former Fowler Mayor, Tom Tokiharu Nagata, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2014, at the age of 88. Nagata was born on March 15, 1926, in Fowler, to Fumijiro and Shizue Nagata. While attending Selma High School, World War II broke out and he was imprisoned with all other West Coast Japanese Americans and sent to the Gila River Concentration Camp in Arizona. Nagata served with the United States Army, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and in 2011, he went to Washington D.C. to receive the Congressional Gold Medal presented to the World War II Nisei veterans. Nagata spent 41 years with Caltrans and then after the Loma Prieta earthquake, he enjoyed a second career with FEMA, assisting with post disaster efforts after Hurricane Katrina, and in Guam, Saipan and Hawaii. He founded and was scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 442, and was honored with the BSA Sequoia Council's highest service award in 1972. He was recognized as "Fowler's Citizen of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce in 1973. Nagata devoted countless hours to the Fowler community and served on the Planning Commission; the Municipal Hospital Board; a term on the Fresno County Grand Jury and Little League. In 1976, he was elected to the Fowler City Council and in 1978, he was elected Mayor. He was re-elected to the City Council in 2004, but forced to resign due to health issues in 2007. Nagata was involved with the Buddhist Church of Fowler; Fowler JACL; Japanese Language School; and the regional and national boards of the Buddhist Churches of America. Nagata is survived by Jane, his wife of 60 years; sons, Brian and Kevin; and daughter Colleen and her husband Jay; grandchildren, Brenna, Alaina and Brayden; sister, Helen Tani of Fresno; and brother, Bonch of Monterey Park; many relatives; and extended family and friends in America and Japan. A Memorial Service will be held at Buddhist Church of Fowler, 210 South Ninth Street, Fowler, CA on Saturday, August 30, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. Lisle Funeral Home, 1605 'L' Street, Fresno, California (559)266-0666