STANLEY MASAYUKI YAMANAKA
Stanley Masayuki Yamanaka quietly passed on March 24, 2017 in Sacramento, California with close family at his side after maintaining his independence through a battle with ALS. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy; their daughter, Laura, and her husband Steven Loy; their son, Clinton, and his wife Terrie; and their four grandchildren, Stevy, Mackenzie, Curtis, and Marcus. Stan’s younger brother, Leslie, and his wife Alice reside in Oahu, Hawaii.
Stan was born February 11, 1930 in Paia Maui, Hawaii, as the middle of three brothers. He met his future wife, Nancy, on a blind date sophomore year of high school. He graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1954 with a degree in civil engineering, where he also received his commission through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
Stan and Nancy married June 12, 1955, prior to Stan’s deployment to Korea as an engineer platoon leader in the U.S. Army and was later promoted to Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. After Stan’s return to the States, he resumed his position with the California Department of Transportation as a civil engineer, where he would proudly spend his entire professional career developing the state’s highways and infrastructure.
Stan and Nancy moved their small family to Lodi, California in1960, where they raised Laura and Clinton and became fixtures in the community. Stan was a longtime member of the Lodi Buddhist Church, where he was a perennial presence at the Obon Festival. He was also an avid golfer with the Nikkei Golf Club. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing with his Tuesday and Thursday groups, eating breakfast at Omelet House, and drinking fine red wine. He visited Jackson Rancheria for the cards (but also the buffet), and he was an ardent fantasy footballer and sports fan – the last event he watched was the United States’ World Baseball Classic victory.
Stan was a good man, and a better husband, father, and grandfather. He was gregarious and joyous, loved to tell stories, and enjoyed a good laugh. He was smart, and he always found his way to the center of the conversation. Above all, Stan cherished his family, which he counted as the most important possession in his life. As the family patriarch, he especially treasured spending time with his children and grandchildren, and celebrating their successes. He loved cooking Japanese New Year’s food for the grandkids and helping to make (but mostly eat) “Grandma’s Apple Pie.” Stan always told his grandchildren that “school always comes first,” and he urged them to place family above all else. Stan’s support, wisdom, encouragement, and presence are going to be dearly missed to those lucky enough to call him family.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 2 pm at the Lodi Buddhist Church. We’ll miss you, Grandpa. Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.