Obituaries

Monday, July 27, 1998

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Saturday, July 25, 1998

Walton Gordon, first
state schools chief, dies

He taught in Hilo and at
Central and Farrington in a
37-year career

By Michelle Cournoyer, Star-Bulletin

Walton McWilliams Gordon embodied the phrase "heart of gold."

His friends, family and co-workers said they will remember his geniality.

His former Farrington High School students remember a man of unyielding dedication to their future.

Gordon, 96, who led the Hawaii school system through its first year of statehood, died yesterday in Portland, Ore., after a long illness.

He had spent his last year in a nursing home, his system failing to bring nutrients to his body.

"Even when he was in the nursing home for a year, people remarked on his courtesy. He was never in pain and never unhappy," said his daughter, Rosemary Gordon Kimball.

She described her father as an avid and successful gardener.

Tourists would stop in front of his Nuuanu home to admire the huge bed of gardenias. Kimball often brought a dozen long-stemmed gardenias to school.

"He was deeply loyal to his family, friends, to Farrington and the school system," she said.

Gordon had a career in education in Hawaii that stretched nearly four decades.

"He was a true educator and was very interested in Hawaii's children," said Ruth Fuji, his secretary for 18 years.

Gordon got his first teaching job in Hilo in 1925 after leaving his farm in Blanche, Tenn. Hawaii was supposed to be his first stop on a trip around the world.

He never left.

"He liked his job," Kimball said.

And Hilo liked him, too.

"I went to Hilo in 1992, and I was still introduced as Mr. Gordon's daughter, and I'm 60 years old," Kimball said. "He was so involved with school sports and dances. In fact, that is the only time I ever danced with my dad, at school dances."

He married a teacher, Mildred Viola Osmundson, in 1927, and moved to Oahu with her. He was principal of Central Intermediate School until 1942, when he became principal of Farrington.

"He always told students, 'This school is for you; it is your property, and it is up to you to take care of your school,' " Fuji said. "These kids had pride in their school. They were poor but they had pride."

He became district superintendent of Oahu schools in 1957 and state superintendent in January 1959. He retired in 1962.

His ashes will be scattered on the Willamette River in Oregon.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Mildred, who died in 1987.

He is survived by his second wife, Laurine; three grandsons; and three great-granddaughters.

Memorials may be mailed to the Farrington High School Alumni and Community Foundation, P.O. Box 4261, Honolulu 96812-4261.

Antonio C. Ancheta, 76, of Waipahu, who retired from Navy Public Works Center, died July 8 in Waipahu. Born in Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Magdalena C.; son Albert; daughters Betty Reeves, Mildred Harrison and Helen Banaay; brother Moises; sister Paulina Cabudol; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Daniel P. Haleamau Jr., 81, of Hilo, a retired stevedore with HT&T Co. Inc., died last Saturday at home. Born in Kolaoa, Kona, Hawaii, he is survived by sons Daniel III and Gene; daughters Carol M. Stone, Daisy L. “Mona” Kanakamaikai Jr. and Patricia Haleamau; 23 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire.

Joaquina O. “Jackie” Hill, 76, of Kahului and formerly of Kalihi died last Saturday in Hale Makua, Kahului. Born in Nahiku, Maui, she is survived by sons Edward P. and Martin E.; sisters Helen De Costa, Mathilda Pimental, Gertrude Marciel, Agnes Phillips and Catherine Antone; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Rosary: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 11 a.m. next Saturday at St. Mary's Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Puuiki Cemetery. Casual attire.

William H. Huffman Jr., 76, of Waianae died July 3 in Waianae. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Hilda W.; daughters Myra Lacuesta, Violet “Pinky” Matson, Lana Pitzenburger, the Rev. Billie Keawekane and Jackie Darley; sons William III and George; hanai son John; sisters Myra Bovino-Thomas and Karen Gonsalves; brothers George and Tommy; 20 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Services: 9:45 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Seiko Kaneshiro, 56, of Honolulu, a sushi chef at Wisteria Restaurant, died Monday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Okinawa, Japan, he is survived by parents Seizo and Teruko Kinjo; brother Seiyei Kinjo; and sisters Kiyoko Nakandakari, Minako Kinjo, Ayako Hanamoto and Yumiko Kamizato. Services: noon today at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Gladys Chang Kelly, 86, of Kailua will be remembered in services 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at First Chinese Church of Christ. Additional information for an obituary published yesterday provided by the mortuary.

Magnolia N. Kiesel, 83, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Nawiliwili, Kauai, she is survived by sons Charles Jr., Henrick, William, Theodore and Edward; daughters Victoria Niihau and Magnolia Soares; sister Marjorie Wessel; 30 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire.

Jessie M. Lee, 75, of Wailuku died June 27. He is survived by sons Darryl and Michael; daughters Sharon Clark and Leanne Fischer; brothers Clifford, Yoshio, Kiyomori, Henry and Melvin Makabe; sister Jackie Oya; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 10 a.m. to noon. Private scattering of ashes. Aloha attire.

Lilice M. Lee, 75, of Kaneohe and formerly of Hawaii Kai, a retired seamstress, died Tuesday. Born in Waialua, she is survived by husband Jerry, son Ron, daughters Cheryl Shinogi and Doreen Mortimer, sister Amy Mew and six grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire.

Violet M. Marks, 86, of El Sobrante, Calif., and formerly of Honolulu, who retired from Pearl Harbor, died Monday in Alameda Hospital. Born in Puunene, Maui, she is survived by cousins. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

Mary M. Marques, 82, of Kaneohe, a retired chambermaid for Hilton Hawaiian Village, died Thursday in Honolulu. Born in Hawaii, she is survived by daughters Patricia Espinosa, Jeanette Rasmussen and Debra Yunson; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Valley of the Temples. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire.

Fusae Miyata, 80, of Kaneohe, a retired pantry worker, died July 9 in Kailua. She is survived by sons Robert, Roy, Michael and Dennis; sister Alice Tanaka; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Private services.

Hou Young Pang, 74, died Saturday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Patricia; sons Ronald and Roland; daughter Rhonda Akamine; brothers Herbert and William; sisters Bernice Kamekona, Doris Chun and Violet and Mili Pang; and eight grandchildren. Taoist services: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Frank E. Passos, 79, of Haleiwa died last Saturday in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Waialua, he is survived by sons Emerson and Garrett; daughters Geraldine R. Chong, Myrtle Mock, Maile Furshpan and Penelope Sabagala; brother Alfred Moniz; sister Sophie Bajadali; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Liliuokalani Protestant Church in Haleiwa. Call after 6 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.

William P. “Bill” Reeves, 49, of Honolulu, a construction worker, died Thursday in Honolulu. Born in Carlsbad, N.M., he is survived by mother Phyllis Gabrielson, stepfather John Gabrielson, wife Lysanne and sister Ruth Shuga. Scattering of ashes: 10 a.m. Tuesday in front of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki.

Albert H. “Al” Roth, 86, of Kailua, a retired ground safety manager for Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii, died Monday in Kailua. Born in Ralston, Wash., he is survived by wife Betty, daughters Sharon Lee and Stephanie Roth, son Michael, brother Rudolph, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Thomas A. Sofos, 77, of Honolulu, a retired developer and Realtor, died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Corinth, Greece, he is survived by wife Catherine; sons Thomas, Nicolas and Steven; daughter Stephany; half-brother George Manis; half-sister Sula Christopher; and a granddaughter. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 930 Lunalilo St. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Henry “Tex” Texeira, 77, of Honolulu, a retired projectionist, died Monday. Born in Waimea, Kauai, he is survived by nephews and nieces Pahed, Perry and Berry Ohanas. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Monday at Diamond Head Memorial Park. No flowers.

Agnes H. Toguchi, 68, of Honolulu died Wednesday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Taz Kaho‘onei, Pedro and Felix Gabina and Lacy Piercy; daughters Frances L. Purdy, Penny Piercy and Roberta Kahihikolu; brothers Robert N. and John G. Spencer; sisters Esther Pagan, Annie Maii and Patricia-Ann S. Spencer; and 10 grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Aloha attire. No flowers.

George K. Yamamoto, 93, of Honolulu, a retired teacher for Kekaha School, died Thursday. Born in Waimea, Kauai, he is survived by wife Katherine. Memorial services: noon Wednesday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

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Monday, July 27, 1998

Gregorio Babiera, 88, of Hilo died July 22. He was born in the Phillipines. He was a retired heavy equipment operator for Puna Sugar Co. He is survived by wife Perfectua; son Ernest Dela Cruz; daughters Connie Dela Cruz, Margie Cabastas, Mercy Nakata and Anita Dela Cruz; brothers Leonardo and Valentin; sister Isabell Daria; and several grandchildren. Wake service: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home; call from 6 to 9 p.m. Funeral service: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church; call from 10 a.m. to noon. Burial: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Homelani Memorial Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers.

John Paul De Rego 53, of Salinas, Calif., a 1961 graduate of St. Anthony Boys School, died July 18 at Salinas. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by parents Frank and Rose of Wailuku, Maui; sons Charles and Richard; brother Frank; and sisters Rose Mary Calasa and Francine De Rego. Mass: 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony Church; call after 9 a.m. Inurnment: noon at Maui Memorial Park. Reception to follow at Borthwick Norman's Lanai. Casual attire. No flowers.

Mew In H. “Anna” Kekoa, 91, of Honolulu, who was a waitress at Queen's Surf Restaurant, died July 17 in St. Francis Hospice. She was born in Kapaa, Kauai. She is survived by niece and primary caregiver Bertha Nahoopii. Private services.

Dolores “Dee” Mitchell, 70, of Lihue, a retired secretary with the Kauai Surf Hotel, died Tuesday in St. Francis Hospital. She was born in Kapaia, Kauai. She is survived by husband William “Billy”; daughter Caroline “Dukie” Asing; brothers George Boiser and Charles Monroid; sister Katherine Layosa; and hanai sister Lucy Monroid. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church on Kauai. Call after 9 a.m.

Vicente Pasion, 90, of Pearl City, a World War II veteran, died last Monday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. He retired from Pearl Harbor after 27 years of service. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Rufina; daughters Margarita Oasay, Norma Fernando and Gina, Janet and Doreen Pasion; sons Eduard and Robert; 19 grandchildren; and 16 great- grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 3 to 7 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at the mortuary. Call from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Heron B. “500” Salvador, 92, of Honolulu, a retired Dole Pineapple Co. foreman, died July 17 in St. Francis Hospital. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by companion Tsuruko Oshiro; daughter Rosa; stepdaughters Gladys and Peggy Oshiro, Janet Oshita and Vivian Asato; stepsons Dennis Oshiro and Frank Reuter; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Services were private.

Alexander H. Souza, 82, of Honolulu, a retired instructor from Honolulu Rapid Transit System and MTL Inc., died July 17 at home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Ann; daughter Dawn Conder, a grandchild and two great-grandchildren. Services were private.

Akiko Suzuki, 71, of Kurtistown, Hawaii, died July 22 at Hilo Medical Center. She was born in Olaa, Puna, Hawaii. She was a proprietor of Anthurium Wholesale and shipping services and a seamstress. She is survived by husband Junji Suzuki; sons Wayne and Jerry; brothers Toshio and Masaichi Takaki; and two grandchildren. Services: 6:30 p.m. today at Borthwick Hawaii Funeral Home, Hilo.

Masami Takamoto, 97, of Waipahu died July 18 in St. Francis-West Hospital. He was born in Yamaguchi, Japan. He is survived by wife Fusayo; sons William M. and Adam M.; daughter Alice F. Maruyama; a sister in Japan; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Private services.

Hajime Takanishi, 86, of Kekaha, Kauai, owner of Hale Taka Apartments, died Thursday at home. He was born in Kekaha, Kauai. He is survived by sons Ed and Wilfred; brothers Kazuo, Morito, Itsuo and Kenso; sister Shigemi Kawamura; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 5 p.m. Wednesday at Waimea Honpa Hongwanji. Burial: Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. Casual attire. No flowers.