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Johnny Yonekuni Wakamatsu
Johnny Yonekuni Wakamatsu
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Johnny Wakamatsu Obituary
Wakamatsu
Johnny Yonekuni Wakamatsu, Surrounded by his loving family, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior Sunday morning, September 2, 2007.
He was born in Sumner, Washington on December 13, 1917 to Eitaro and Hisa Wakamatsu, Japanese immigrants; pioneers in their own right. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and worked alongside his parents on the farm. Johnny graduated from Hood River High School. He had a natural aptitude for boxing and the martial arts and eventually achieved "Golden Gloves" ranking in boxing and a 2nd degree black belt in Judo.
He proudly served in several capacities in the US Army as a drill instructor, MP, then later a member of the 232 Engineer Combat Company for the highly decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After WW II, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and served an additional tour to aid in the reconstruction of war-torn Europe.
He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1951 in Hood River, Oregon. It was there he met and married Thora Jacob. They have been together for almost 53 years. The family lived in Hood River, later relocating to Utah.
Johnny has faithfully served in various church callings. He was a worker at the Provo Temple, and later Johnny and Thora served a part-time service mission at the Lindon Cannery.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Thora, and 12 children; Jay (Candy), Paul (Debbie), Charles (Renee), Roberta Bowman (Kevin), Robin Mountford (Kevin), Lincoln (MaryLou), Roma Morgan (Dalon), Roland (Susan), Warren (Nanette), Reiko Moss (David), Rosanne Carpenter (Greg), and Joshua (Kori). There are 38 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother James and sisters Mary Ishimaru and Hana Kinoshita, who all reside in Hood River, Oregon.
Funeral services for Johnny will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cedar Hills 10th LDS Ward Chapel, 9737 North Chesterfield Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah. Family and friends may call Wednesday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. prior to services at the Cedar Hills 10th Ward Chapel. Interment will take place in the Highland City Cemetery. Funeral Directors - Warenski Funeral Home of American Fork, Utah.
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Shigeo Kawamoto
October 1, 2007
Dear Thora sorry to hear of Johnny, we had some differences but he was very military and a good First Sergeant to the whole 232nd combat engineers.
Doc Kawamoto
Heidi Johnson
September 19, 2007
Dear Josh, Kori and Family,
I would like to extend my sincere sympathy in the passing of your father. I only met him once, at your wedding, and he impressed me then. From what is written here, he must have been a giant of a man. I feel gratitude to him for serving our country in the ways he did. What a legacy he has left. May Heavenly Father bless and comfort you during this time of grieving.
Warm and sincere wishes,
Heidi, Greg, Jacob, and Melissa Johnson
Jeana Thornton
September 18, 2007
Warren and Nanette,
I was sorry to hear of the passing of your father.
Shigeo Kawamoto
September 11, 2007
I,Shigeo Doc Kawamoto,am sadden by the passing of First Sergeant Johnny Wakamatsu. My wife and I wish to send our deepest synpathy and condolences to you, Thora and your family.
May he rest in peace.
Shigeo and Mary Kawamoto
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Cecile Shellman
September 10, 2007
Condolences to you, Aunt Thora.
With love, Cecile and Spencer
Roger Eaton
September 7, 2007
On behalf of the 232nd Engineers of
the Los Angeles area, I wish to express my condolences to Mrs Wakamatsu and the family on the passing of 1st Sgt Johnny Wakamatsu. Although I had not actually met Mr Wakamatsu, I have heard the men talk about him a lot and always in a good way.
I am the son-in-law of the late George Yamada of Los Angeles and am working on the 'Echoes of Silence' project with the AJAWARVETS Memorial Alliance.
Vaughn Moulton
September 6, 2007
Warren and Nannette,
I was sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Karin and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Slack
September 5, 2007
Aunt Thora & family,
I remember as a youth going to your homes in Hood River and visiting you. You both seemed to love each other a lot and also enjoyed having fun. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
Love,
Mary & family
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