Kenzo Shinsato

Apr 30, 1930 -

Dec 26, 2022

Kenzo Shinsato was born on Molokai, Hawaii, in 1930. He met his first wife, Grace Taniguchi, and they married in 1956. Kenzo served in the military, initially in the U.S. Army, and then in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 22 years. Kenzo and Grace raised two sons and a daughter. They also brought Grace's mother, Misako, and her young son, Stacy, into their family. While in the service, Kenzo attended the University of Alaska and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He had a second career as the general manager of a warehouse in Anchorage.

Kenzo loved to go salmon fishing along the Russian and Copper rivers. He would share his catch with everyone by canning and smoking the salmon. He enjoyed sharing the many wonders of Alaska with his visiting friends and family.

Grace passed away in 1990. Kenzo was reacquainted and eventually married a former classmate of Grace's, Evelyn Yokomizo, in 1992. Kenzo and Evelyn lived in Anchorage, Alaska, until 2018, when they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kenzo passed away on Dec. 26, 2022, at the Queen's Medical Center Honolulu, with his eldest son and daughter-in-law at his bedside. He is survived by his second wife, Evelyn; children and their spouses, Terence Shinsato (Nancee Hirano), Macen Shinsato (Lori Wright-Shinsato) and Kim Wade (Dan Wade); along with four grandchildren; and brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Bonnie) Shinsato. He is also survived by his stepchildren and their respective families.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on April 4, 2023, at Hosoi Garden Mortuary Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or the Anchorage Senior Activity Center. Kenzo will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl beside his first wife, Grace.