Obituaries for Sunday, July 2, 2017
• Jill Yadao Pope • Hipolito ‘Anglay’ Gandeza Aquias • James Fumio Oyama Clayton Minoru Oshiro • Richard Charles Botti • Nancy Lee Bunyan • Benjamin Jimenez • Michael Lyndon Gray Julian
Jill Yadao Pope
Jill Yadao Pope, 33, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, leaving behind her husband and four children.
She was born on July 2, 1983, to Raymondo Yadao and Jane Wirtzburger Yadao in Lihue. Following the death of her father in 1996 and her mother in 1998, she was raised by her aunt Chrisistine “Tutu” Wirthburger Brune, in Daytona Beach, Florida. She graduated from Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida, in 2001, and from Florida State University in Tallahassee in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After marrying Bert Pope in May 2006, she worked as a teacher at Holy Comforter Episcopal School until the birth of their first child in 2007.
A passionate volunteer and children’s advocate, she was a past president of the Junior League of Tallahassee and also served on the boards of Tree House and Lee’s Place.
She is survived by husband, Bert Pope, children Kent (10), Lilly (8), Banks (6) and Blair (5), brother Raymond Yadao and his wife Janet of Kona, sister Rae Ann Yadao-Butac and her husband Phil, sister Lianne Yadao and James Ailsna, brother Rollan Yadao and his wife Celina, of Kilauea, aunt Frances Yadao Bilog and her husband Mo of Huntington Beach, California, aunt Josephine Asuncion, uncle Juny Yadao and his wife Theresa, all of Kilauea, aunt Christine “Tutu” Wirtzburger Brune, aunt Judy Wirtzburger Lincoln and her husband Gary Lincoln, of South Daytona, Florida, father and mother-in-law Melvin Jr. and Kathie Pope, brother-in-law Mel Pope III and “sister-in-love” Natascha Becker of Tallahassee, Florida, brother-in-law Bruce Pope and his wife Nancy of Columbia, South Carolina, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at St. Sylvester Church in Kilauea, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. The family requests that Jill’s life be celebrated with Aloha. Please wear casual Hawaiian attire to the service.
Hipolito ‘Anglay’ Gandeza Aquias
Hipolito “Anglay” Gandeza Aquias of Hanamaulu passed away on June 24, 2017, at the age of 82. He was born in Tayum, Abra, Philippines, on July 10, 1934, and retired as an irrigator with Lihue Plantation.
He was preceded in death by his parents Regino and Dionisia Aquias, wife Adelaida Aquias, grandson Michael Aku Harper and numerous siblings, nephews and nieces.
He is survived by daughters Gloria Aquias Tanner, Emma (Jimmy) Aquias Iloreta, Evelyn (Catalino) Aranda, sons Leonard (Editha) Aquias, Freddy Aquias, Jerry (Mary) Aquias, Renante (Charie) Aquias, mother of children Plebecita Jaquias, grandchildren Erica Tanner, Heather Iloreta, Holly Iloreta, Joshua, Iloreta, Jason Iloreta, Curtis Aranda, B.J. Aranda, Ace Aranda, Emily Aranda, Max Aranda, Jordin Aranda, Julius Aranda, James Aranda, Silas Aranda, Adrian Aquias, Jerry Aquias, Jana Aquias, Hollywood Aquias, Maelani Aquias, Austin Aquias, Isaiah Aquias, Jaslyn Aquias, Micah Aquias, Cyril Aquias and Charrice Aquias, great-grandchildren London Kelly, Kylee Harper, Shilo Harper, Noah Aquias, Dilan Aquias, Roman Aquias, Lilly Aquias, Elijah Aquias and Maia Aquias, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 8, at St. Catherine Church, with visitation from 9 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 11 a.m.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Aquias family with arrangements.
James Fumio Oyama
James Fumio Oyama passed away on June 11, 2017, in Lihue. He was born on June 10, 1940, and was a retired Hawaiian Airlines employee.
He was preceded in death by father Kiyoshi Oyama and mother Kimie Oyama.
He is survived by wife Kathleen Oyama, sons James “Jimmy Boy” (Lynn) Oyama of Kauai, Dennis Oyama of San Diego, Malcom Oyama, Garrett (Thelma Ramos) Oyama Sr., Brennen (Giselle) Bucao of Kauai and Blain (Kimberly) Bucao of Kauai, daughters Deedee Ibaan of Las Vegas, Ruby (David) Ishida of Kauai and Brandee (Brian) Holt of Kauai, 25 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, brothers Seichi (Ethel) Oyama of Lawai, Roy (Gladys) Oyama of Kalaheo and Herbert Oyama of Honolulu, sister Betty (Earl) Kobayashi of Kailua, Kona, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held on July 8, 2017, at the Garden Island Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. with service to follow at 10 a.m.
A private scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.
The family suggests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with the arrangements.
Clayton Minoru Oshiro
Clayton Minoru Oshiro, 54, of Eleele, passed away on May 9, 2017.
Born on Dec. 7, 1962, he was with the Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his mother Alice M. Oshiro.
He is survived by his father Shigeo Oshiro, brothers Milton (Marla) Oshiro of Eleele and Russell (Judy) Oshiro of Honolulu, and numerous uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private services were held.
Garden Island Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements.
Richard Charles Botti
Richard Charles Botti, 78 of Waikoloa, Hawaii, died June 23, 2017, at home.
Born May 1, 1939, in Brockton, Massachusetts, he was a lobbyist, government liaison and a small business leader. He was the founder of the Legislative Information Service of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Retail Gasoline Dealers, Hawaii Food Industry Association, among many other associations.
Private services will be held.
He is survived by wife Gwen Botti, sons Randy (Ann) Botti of Kailua-Kona, Douglas Botti of Sherman Oaks, California, and Richard (Michelle) Benecchi of Spokane, Washington, stepdaughter Julie Waters of Kailua, brother Don (Callie) Benecchi of Dothan, Alabama, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nancy Lee Bunyan
Nancy Lee Bunyan died on June 27, 2017, at Kauai Care Center in Waimea.
She was born March 18, 1925 in Beverly, Massachusetts. She was raised in Pennsylvania and graduated from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. She lived and worked several years in Ohio. Nancy met Gerald Bunyan in Ohio and they were married in Avon, Ohio. After they were married, she assisted him in his veterinarian practice.
When Gerald retired they moved to North Carolina where they had vacationed for years. Gerald’s retirement didn’t last long and Nancy was once again working with Gerald in the veterinary business. In 1980 they moved to Kauai for a real retirement.
Nancy loved to sing and was a member of the Kauai Chorale, the Garden Island Singers, Kauai Voices and her church choir. She volunteered both at Wilcox Medical Center and as a guide for Grove Farm Museum for many years. Nancy was a very active member at Lihue United Church. She also loved to travel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald W. Bunyan, parents Harvey and Nema (Tower) Watkins and sister Bernetta Watkins.
Stepdaughter Wyanne Bunyan lives on Kauai, and stepson Gerry Mikesell lives in Temecula, California.
A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Benjamin Jimenez
Benjamin Jimenez, 53, went home to the Lord on Saturday, June 17, 2017, in Seward, Alaska. He was born on March 31, 1963, in Magsingal, Ilocas Sur, Philippines, to Edward and Emma Jimenez. He married Rose Jimenez May 29, 1987, on Kauai.
He is survived by wife Rose, sons Don, Alex and Ben, daughters, Chlowee and Olivia, and six grandchildren, Seoni, Jay, Darien, Myla, Evelyn, Kamaka, Kameela and Lena.
He was preceded in death by his mother Emma Jimenez and his grandparents Juana and Damaso Villahermosa and Catalina and Mariano Jimenez.
He and his family moved to Alaska in December of 1991 where he worked for Providence Alaska Medical Center for the last 21 years. He resided in Anchorage for 27 years. He also served in the Army National Guard for eight years.
He loved to fish and hunt. He was an awesome cook and loved to travel, especially with his children and grandchildren.
His family wrote, “Ben’s love for his family, generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to all who knew him. He lived his life fearlessly.” He will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 6, at St. Catherine Church, with viewing from 8:30 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kealia.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Jimenez family with arrangements.
Michael Lyndon Gray Julian
Michael Lyndon Gray Julian of Puhi passed away at Straub Clinic and Hospital on June 27, 2017, at the age of 27. He was born on Oahu on Jan. 13, 1990, and was employed at Wilcox Medical Center as a pharmacy technician.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Ernesto Gray Sr., paternal grandparents Antonio and Cristina Julian, and uncle Ricardo Gray.
He is survived by parents Dominador and Linda Julian, brother Justin Julian, maternal grandmother Loreta “Gloria” Gray, numerous aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
Viewing and visitation with the family will be held on Friday, July 7, at Kauai Veterans Center in Lihue from 5 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 8, at Immaculate Conception Church, with viewing from 8 a.m. and Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Kauai Memorial Gardens.
Kauai Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home assisted the Julian family with arrangements.
