David Nakasone

David Nakasone, 74, of Ekalaka passed away December 27, 2023, at his home in Ekalaka. 

David was born on July 10, 1949, to Saburo and Matsuko Nakasone in Lihue, Hawai’i. He was raised in Lihue with his brothers where he attended Saint Catherine’s for elementary school and then graduated from Kapa’a High School. He proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He was trained and graduated from the United States Army Engineer School on November 19, 1967, with a diploma in Engineer Equipment Maintenance. This would serve him well as he continued to actively serve in The Vietnam Conflict where he worked with the 169th Engineer Battalion. 

David was honorably discharged on February 17, 1970, and followed a fellow friend to Superior, MT. He and Patricia York were married on May 27, 1972, and to this union three children were born, Ladd, Toshio, and Chioko. Together, they raised their family in Superior, MT and celebrated 51 years together. David’s post Army career included mechanic work, then working at the sawmill, then as a sawyer, and operating heavy equipment, and working construction. In 1986 he began work as a crane operator for transmission power lines and as a bulldozer operator. David worked until 2019 when he and Patricia decided to move to Ekalaka to be home in Montana, closer to loved ones. 

Although many knew him for his work, he never wanted to be called a logger, a mechanic, or a lineman. The only thing he really wanted to be called was a good teacher, a great friend, or Dad. David always mastered the skills he tried and had so much to teach the world.  He gave many young adults the guidance and skills to move to many fields. Every child who came into his home was loved and felt real love. Numerous dear friends of ours called him Dad or viewed him as a father figure, and his favorite thing was hearing from them and his friends again.  That was his legacy, that he cared for and had room in his heart for every person, and only wanted to see people succeed and raise happy families. He shone kindness onto everyone. 

David also honed his skills in hunting, fishing, and golfing. He spent his younger years hunting and fishing on Kauai and then fell in love with the mountains of Montana, and everything they have to offer. He was happiest outdoors with friends and family. He traveled all over the United States building substations, transmission power lines, and working as an inspector for them, and he always found the water and time for the people he loved. He was dedicated to enjoying life and not wasting any of God’s given time, encouraging his friends and family to join him. David had a great love of family and cherished his days spent with his children and grandchildren, and he reveled in feeding friends and family the best food you can imagine.

David will be greatly missed by his wife, Patty; sons, Ladd Nakasone of Superior, MT, Toshio (Becca) Nakasone of Slaton, TX; daughter Chioko (Jake) Hammel of Ekalaka, MT; grandchildren, Mason, Tori and Haley Nakasone, Heather and Carson Nakasone, Masa, Hiro, and Mai Hammel; and his brothers, Alwyn Nakasone of Chicago, IL, Jerry (Noalani) of Lihue, Hawai’i.

He is preceded in death by his parents Saburo and Matsuko (Shimabukuro) Nakasone; and brother, Artson Nakasone.