Kayji "Kay" Oka

Kayji “Kay” Oka OGDEN – Kayji “Kay” Oka, 85, loving husband, father, and grandfather, went on to his Heavenly home on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, surrounded by many loving family members. Kay was born June 10, 1923, in Ogden, Utah, to Ishi and Makinojo Oka. He graduated from Weber High School in 1941 and Weber Junior College in 1943. In 1944, Kay was drafted to serve with the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the Military Intelligence Services as a Japanese translator. He served until 1946 when he was honorably discharged. He then stayed in Japan for one year to work under General McArthur, helping to plan the rebuilding of the city of Nagasaki. Kay returned to the United States in 1947, and proceeded to further his education. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. Kay worked for the City of Ogden, taking the census in 1950. From 1950 to 1970, he worked at Hill Air Force Base. Following retirement from the base, Kay was employed with TRW for eight years before again retiring in 1978. Throughout his life, Kay loved serving as an Elder at the Ogden Japanese Christian Church. It was at this congregation that he met his wife, Ruth Iwamoto, whom he wed on August 11, 1950. Kay was an avid fisherman and always knew the best times to catch the best trout. He also loved to garden; one of his greatest loves of life was to be able to share his vegetables and all of those delicious golden delicious apples with his family and friends. On top of all of this, Kay always found plenty of time to spend with family. When he didn’t plan a fishing trip or a party, he would be packing up to go with his family on trips to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or Wendover. Kay is survived by his wife, Ruth, daughter, Joyce (Amir) Noshiravan, grandchildren, Ami and Adam, sisters-in-law, Esther Oka and Yo Oka, brothers-in-law, Noel Okamoto, Nobuo (Yasuko) Iwamoto, and Harry Seko, along with many nieces and nephews. Kay will be greeted in Heaven by his parents, brothers, Mike and James Oka, sisters, Ruby (Yolie) Murakami, Susie, and Emma (George) Fujiki, sister-in-law, Clara Seko, and brother-in-law, Hideo (Kimiko) Iwamoto. He will also receive a very warm welcome from two of his biggest fans, Brownie and Marty. A special thanks to Dr. Kerwin and the ICU Staff at McKay-Dee Hospital for all of their loving care. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., with Reverend Jill Minnich of the Ogden Japanese Christian Church officiating. Friends may call at the mortuary on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday 10 to 10:45 a.m. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and Koden, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com