LELE KA HOAKA (The Spirit has flown away)

It is with sadness that we report the passing of John J. Yoneda on Dec 24, 2016. John was born on Nov 24, 1939 in Honolulu to Choichi and Kiyoko Yoneda. The fourth of six sons, John’s first seven years were spent on his parent’s hog and chicken farm in the Waialae area. At age seven, the family moved to Kalihi where John spent his youth and graduated from Farrington High School. Enlisting in the Army in 1961 he spent most of his service in a heavy artillery unit in Germany. After leaving the Army, John got a job in Purchasing at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. It was at Queen’s he was attracted to a cute fellow worker, Karen Luke. Not letting any green grass grow under his feet, he made his play. They were married on May 27, 1971. He took advantage of his G.I. Bill benefits and entered the culinary program at Kapi’olani Community College where he earned certification as a chef. John’s service in the Army had stimulated in him a taste for traveling. With the rising cost of housing in Honolulu, he convinced his wife that they should go and reside in the Northwest. At least, try it out for five years. In 1981, John moved, with his wife and two young children, to Seattle. The five years has lasted thirty-five years. John joined the Wakinikona Hawaiian Club (WHC) on Oct 15, 1988, as an Active Member. He has served, as the club’s Sergeant-at-Arms, from 2008 to 2016. John was a gentle spirit. He was well-liked by all, pleasant and friendly. LELE KA HOAKA (The Spirit has flown away) He loved to eat. Where he put it on his lean frame, we’ll never know. He also loved bag-pipe music. John leaves behind his wife, Karen, of forty-five years; children Chad and Heidi; five brothers Samson, Kenneth, Eric, David and Edward. The WHC extends their sincere condolences to Karen and all the members of John’s ‘Ohana. God be with you till we meet again. Until then, our aloha to you, John 

​The memorial service for John Yoneda will be held at Overlake Park Presbyterian Church on Sun, Jan 15 at 1 PM. The church is located at 1836 156th Ave NE, in Bellevue, WA. Casual attire is requested and the wearing of aloha shirts and other Hawaii-style clothing is welcomed and encouraged.