Yo Kawa

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Yo Kawa of Willard, Utah died in his home surrounded by his family on July 31, 2010.

Yo was born on May 8, 1933 in Hooper, Utah to Itchitaro "Ike" and Jun Matsudaira Kawaguchi. He was one of 12 children raised on the family farm where he picked up many skills that contributed to his later successes.

Yo graduated from Weber High School in 1951. Yo served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He was married to Delone Kaye Bybee from 1957 to 1965, during which time they owned a second hand store on 25th Street in Ogden.

While in Utah Yo worked for Miya Brothers Construction, and co-owned a mechanic garage.

Yo and his family then moved to California where he later married Marcia Bastron. Yo and Marcia combined cultures, ambitions and children. Yo worked diligently with his son-in-law Ken Lambourne in the land grading field. Soon Kawaco, Inc., a California land grading company was formed. Yo''s generosity personally and professionally was admired by all that knew him. There was always room at the table, the job site or at the Kawa home for one more.

Yo retired and returned to Utah where he and Marcia then entered into the cement business. In 2000 they moved to Pahrump, Nevada where they stayed until 2007 again returning back to Utah where they now reside.

Yo is survived by his wife Marcia Kawa; children Randy Kawa, Sherri (Ken) Lambourne, Micah (Treena) Bastron; grandchildren Tara (John) Brandt, Garrett (Jessica) Kitterman, Kirstin (Drew) Hoyt, Lindsey Kitterman, Kelsi Lambourne, Kody Lambourne, Mikhayla Bastron, Baylee Bastron, Breanna Bastron; and great-grandchildren Cecilia Vasquez, Joaquin Vasquez, Michael Augen, Justine Augen, Peyton Brandt.

Also surviving are his sisters Tamiko Shimabukaro, Kiko Tawatari, Mitzi Kawaguchi, Aiko (Robert) Flowers, Noriko (Melvin) Swanson, Yaeko Bryner.

Yo was proceeded in death by his daughter,Tracy Kawa Di Conza, father Ichitaro "Ike" Kawaguchi, mother Jun Matsudaira, sisters Kazuko Kawahara, and Tsuneko Nakamura, and brothers Shige Kawaguchi, Deb Kawaguchi, and Ichitaro Kawaguchi Jr.

Yo fought a courageous 10-year battle with multiple cancers, his determination and wonderful sense of humor continued to sustain him through numerous treatments both holistic and traditional.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Lowe (Utah), Dr. Neil Norton (Mexico), Dr. Frank Shallenberger and the staff of the Nevada Center, the Salt Lake Veterans Administration, and Applegate Homecare (Sherry Wadman) and Hospice (Dr. Qader, Carrie, Tiffanee, Gloria, Chris, Rachel, Launi, Peter, Deanna) along with the many friends, family and neighbors for their love, help and compassion.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Family will visit with friends at the mortuary on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com