Harry T. Nakashima
4/3/1929 - 11/13/2023
Harry Teruo Nakashima passed away at the age 94 in Olympia, Washington.
He was born in Wahiawa (Oahu, Hawai'i) and raised in Waimanalo (Oahu, Hawai'i). He was drafted into the Army in 1951 during the Korean War. He was sent to Japan to his mother's hometown where he met Kuniko Tanno. They were married in 1953 and had three children.
They were assigned to Army bases in Taiwan, Virginia, France, Georgia, and retired at Fort Lewis, Washington, at the rank of First Sergeant after 20 years. He served a tour in the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War. He was honored in 2022 at a ceremony for Vietnam-era veterans at the Vietnam Wall on the Olympia Capital Campus.
Harry attended Olympia Vocational Technical Institute and received an Associate degree in Computer Science in 1972. After graduation, he worked at the Washington Office of State Treasurer and retired as an Information Technology Manager in 1994.
After living in Lacey for 28 years, Harry and Kuniko lived in Oahu for 20 years. In 2017, they returned to Washington to be closer to their relatives. Harry enjoyed traveling to Japan. He was proficient in woodworking and liked bowling and gardening.
Harry is survived by his wife of 70 years Kuniko, his daughter Karla Groome (Dennis), and his son Wayne (Lyn). He was preceded in death by his daughter Roxanne Brumley. Harry has five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice team, Dr. Shane Son and Dr. Joseph Ye for the compassionate care administered to Harry and his family.
The funeral service will be Saturday, December 9th at 11 AM a graveside with military honors at Forest Funeral Home, 2501 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia, WA. Reception immediately after service at the historic Jacob Smith House, 4500 Intelco Loop SE in Lacey, WA.
