Minoru Sakamoto

Minoru David Sakamoto passed away November 14, 2024, surrounded by his children at home after suffering a stroke. He was 89. He was born August 12, 1935, in Toppenish, Washington. He spent his childhood in the Lower Valley with his immigrant Father and Seattle born Mother along with his eight siblings farming on the Indian Reservation. In 1942, with the outbreak of WWII, he, four siblings, and parents were taken from their farm to the Portland Exposition Stockyards along with other people of Japanese ancestry where they stayed in converted animal stalls until they were relocated behind a vast barbed-wire fence at the Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming. They spent three long years there and the family welcomed three more children before returning to the Toppenish area. Two more siblings were born after returning to the Lower Valley. David graduated from Wapato High School in 1953. He went on to complete a Utilities Engineering Degree and become a Diesel Mechanic in 1955. David remained in the Yakima Valley for the remainder of his life. He and his family worked three different family farms from prior to the war until 1962. He worked for George Taguchi Construction building many homes in the Lower Valley from 1963 to 1970. David spent some time in Chicago with his extended family before starting his family in Yakima. David is most known for the years he spent as the Co-Owner and Manager for the Kentucky Fried Chicken in Union Gap, Washington a division of Harman Management. He built a lasting impression on his fellow managers, supervisors, employees, and community. David received much recognition over his years with Harman Management, including the store being named Harman-Sakamoto in 1989. David left the company in 1992, the name remained due to his dedication and unforgettable character. David was an insurance agent for Aflac, a manager for Prestige Stations (ARCO), ending his working career at Ace Hardware until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of the Yakima Buddhist Temple where he served as a board member. David spent many hours volunteering his time at the church, notably the Annual Sukiyaki Dinner. He met his wife, Alyce at the dinner in 1968 and were married that summer. Their love story goes that David kept “bumping” into her broken leg to get her attention and it did as they were married not long after their meeting. Dave and Alyce raised two children, Jeffrey and Sheran. They divided their time between running the restaurant and attending their activities. His retirement was to be spent with his wife, Alyce she passed away in 2001 from her long courageous battle with ovarian cancer, he went on to pass his time with his good friend Wally. They could be found drinking coffee daily at Burger King after McDonalds raised their coffee prices. The two of them could also be found maintaining the church property. If Dave wasn’t at the temple, attending a Mariner game or watching a televised game, he could be found at Legend’s Casino playing the nickel slots. Pennies didn’t have the best payout, and quarters were too “rich” for his blood he would say. David was preceded in death by his wife Alyce; his parents Bunnosuke and Miyoko; his brothers Ben, Ray, Karry, and Gene; and sister Linda; as well as many close friends and relatives. He is survived by his brother Ron; sisters Carolyn, Elaine (Martin), and Arlene (Dave); and his children Jeffrey (Susan) and Sheran (Todd), his granddaughters Madeline, Megan, Madison, Hannah, and Enya, his great grandnephew Kacen and great grandson Jameson; cousins, numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends. His family extends their sincerest thanks to the Yakima Buddhist Temple members, Wally and Shirley Au, his neighbors, family, and friends who kept him company and their an eye on him over the years. Thank you. A memorial will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 1pm at Yakima Buddhist Church, 212 West 2nd Street, Wapato, Washington 98951. Please call 509-453-5500 with questions. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.valleyhillsfh.com . . To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Minoru Sakamoto, please visit our flower store.