Yokota, Joe S.

Entered into rest, July 10, 2021, at age 94. Husband of the late Irma; father of  Theresa Miki Cannizzaro and Jenniffer (Tom) Sheldon; “JoePa” of Jocelyn Sheldon; brother to Margaret Matsunaga and the late Paul Yokota, uncle and friend to many.

Born in Los Angeles, his family was incarcerated at Heart Mountain in Wyoming during WWII. He served in post-occ Germany in the U.S. Army before returning to the U.S. to resume his college studies. He was proud to be a Michigan State alum.

Joe primarily worked for McDonnell Douglas as an electrical engineer, contributing to the AV-8B and other projects. He enjoyed traveling and volunteering at his Episcopal churches, USO, Red Cross, JACL and contributed many hours annually on the board for the Japanese Festival.

He kept his mind sharp with his love of sudoku puzzles and watching Great Courses classes. He enjoyed surprising friends and family with mail order catalog gifts, watching HGTV, Food Network and sports, especially Cardinals games. Joe was proud and excited to be fully vaccinated.

He wrote about his family’s camp experience and spoke to students so the history would not be forgotten. He was proud to learn his father was recently featured on heartmountain.org. Visit bit.ly/JYokota for  Joe’s camp experience.

Despite all the challenges thrown his way, he lived gracefully and with humor, often saying goodbye with “don’t get drunk”, complete with a giggle.

Services: Visitation at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (808 N. Mason Rd., 63141) Saturday, July 17 at 10 am until service at 11 am; (masks will be required) In lieu of flowers, memorials to Heart Mountain Memory and Justice Endowment Fund 1539 Road 19 Powell, Wyoming 82435 (heartmountain.org/givingopportunities)  or St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church appreciated. A service of KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL.