DAVID TAKATA

1960 - 2023

DAVID TAKATA

Mar. 13, 1960 Jan. 11, 2023

David "Dave" William Takata passed away peacefully at home under the care of his wife and hospice on January 11, 2023, in Dallas, OR, at the age of 62. Dave fought a long and courageous battle against cancer and finally succumbed to the disease.

Dave is survived by his wife, Tamara Takata of Dallas, OR; mother, Yasuko Takata of Los Angeles, CA; four biological children, Christopher Takata of San Francisco, CA, Michelle Ferenchak of San Diego, CA, Breanna and Samantha Takata of El Centro, CA; three stepchildren, Tyler Hargrove of Jefferson, OR, Charlene Pederson of Dallas, OR, Trenton Hargrove of Dallas, OR; and four stepgrandchildren, Raegan, Bennett, Maxine, and Weston Pederson of Dallas, OR. Dave is also survived by his five sisters, Naomi Szeto, Karen Takata-Bagaoisan, Elaine Ivers, Kathy Itomura, and Lisa Sato. He was preceded in death by his father, Atsushi Takata of Los Angeles, CA.

Dave was born on March 13, 1960, in Los Angeles, CA. He attended and graduated from Loyola High School, a private Roman Catholic college-preparatory for boys in Los Angeles, CA, in 1978. Dave played football in high school and was recognized by his coach as being one of the best offensive linemen on the varsity team. In 1977, his team played for the CIF 4A Championship in the highest division for the greater Los Angeles. The championship game was held at the LA Coliseum. His team won the game and was named the #1 high school football team in the nation. Dave was very proud of this accomplishment. He stayed in touch with Loyola High School and followed the football careers of many who graduated and went on to have professional careers in the sport. This was a favorite pastime for Dave. He continued his education and attended Occidental Community College and the University of San Diego, CA.

Dave went on to have a very successful career in banking. His specialties included SBA, business banking, and CRE lending. To name a few, Dave was the Commercial and Business Director for Rabobank in El Centro, CA, Business Acquisition Manager at Wells Fargo, Portland, OR, Loan Department Manager at Lewis and Clark, Oregon City, OR, and SVP/Commercial Team Lead at Willamette Community Bank in Salem, OR. Dave was very ambitious and self-driven. In his personal entrepreneurial pursuits, Dave opened two new Togo's Eatery franchise stores in Imperial County, CA. He created many new jobs in the community and worked endlessly to assist others in need.

Over the span of his life, Dave enjoyed many activities. As a child, he was involved in drum and bugle corp, where he enjoyed playing the baritone in the marching band, Boy Scouts, football, basketball, water polo, fishing and bowling with his father, Legos with his cousins, hanging out at the park with his friends, and baseball, later became a huge Dodgers fan. As an adult, Dave became a true outdoorsman and avid fisherman. He enjoyed deep sea fishing out of Baja, CA, and backpacking through the Sierra Mountains. His favorite places to hike included Mt. Whitney, Tyndall, Williamson, Langley, Baldy, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Kearsage Pass, and the John Muir Trail. Dave enjoyed camping and fly fishing at Mammoth Lakes, including Twin Lakes and Lake Mary. He once caught 556 lbs of Ahi tuna in which he donated to a local homeless shelter. A friend of Dave's once said that he was a "Man for Others" and that this act was typical and a true testament to his character.

Dave also enjoyed traveling. He had an ongoing friendly competition with his daughter, Michelle, to see who could travel to the most countries. Sorry, Dave, Michelle won this one. Dave truly enjoyed going on fishing trips with his son, Chris. He was incredibly proud of both Chris and Michelle for all of their accomplishments and successful careers. Walking his daughter, Michelle, down the aisle at her wedding brought him immense joy. He was equally proud of his two youngest daughters, Breanna and Samantha. He enjoyed trips with them to parks, museums, watching their gymnastics competition, eating elephant ears at the zoo, and ice skating at the Oregon Garden. He was incredibly proud to have taken the girls on their first deep sea fishing trip in which Breanna caught her first fish. That was an amazing day for Dave. Other travelling that Dave enjoyed included camping at Yellowstone National Park, kayaking, cruising, trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. He loved long walks on Oregon beaches. His favorite beach was in Pacific City, OR, Haystack Rock. He enjoyed listening to '70s R&B, dancing, in which he did quite well, watching movies, campfires in the back yard fire pit with family gathered around, making smores and telling stories, working in his garden, playing on his riding lawn mower, barbequing steaks, wine tasting, cooking, and baking zucchini bread and marionberry pies. His family thoroughly enjoyed his cooking and baking. He was always striving to make healthy meals.

Dave's biggest passion, and what kept him moving forward in life while struggling with his illness in his final days, was the love that he had for his children and grandchildren. He truly enjoyed and cherished our large blended family get-togethers. Dave loved the sound of children playing, the joyful chaos. Spending as much time as possible with his children, making new memories, gave Dave a sense of purpose and made his life more meaningful. Dave was an incredibly caring, empathetic, and compassionate human being. He opened his heart and sincerely loved his stepchildren and stepgrandchildren in which he supported, guided, and mentored by example. Dave had a unique and special relationship with each one of his children and grandchildren. One that will be greatly missed. In his final days, he hoped that his children would remember him as being a kind, gentle, and loving father and papa. Dedicated to family and teaching until the end, Dave encouraged them to live good lives, be kind to others, and pursue their dreams with zest and determination as he did. And, most of all, to always stay connected with each other. To let yourselves love and be loved as he did. During his final days, Dave felt extremely loved and blessed as he welcomed family and friends into his life to say their final goodbyes. He was able to spend precious moments with his sisters, having great conversations, sharing childhood stories, looking at old family photos. He was at peace and felt complete. He had done what needed to be done. He was thankful and grateful to have had that time with his sisters and their significant others.

Dave led an amazing life. Well done babe! See you again in the life eternal, where we will take long walks, hand in hand, on our favorite beach. Sip wine under the moonlit night sky next to a roaring fire, and dance once again. Goodbye sweet husband, best friend, son, father, papa, brother, and mentor. Till we all meet again.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family. www.dallastribute.com