WALTER KOYANAGI

1920 - 2014

Walter (Wataru) Koyanagi, beloved husband of Kiyo Koyanagi, passed away peacefully in Taber on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the age of 93 years.
A private service was held at Knox United Church on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 with Reverend Arij Langstraat officiating. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Walter will be deeply missed by his wife of sixty six years, Kiyo, sister Misao (Koji) Kadonaga of St. Albert, brother Chikara (Kay) Koyanagi of Calgary, sister in-law Catherine Koyanagi of Lethbridge, sister in-law Grace Adachi of Taber, former business partner and best friend George (Pat) Meyer of High River and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
He was predeceased by his parents Sakumatsu and Shio Koyanagi, sister Suzumi Uyeda, brother in-law Go Uyeda, brother Tadashi Koyanagi and brother in-law Kenji Adachi.
Walter grew up in Acme Cannery, British Columbia and was relocated with his family to southern Alberta during the mass evacuation of Japanese Canadians in 1942. Despite humble beginnings, Walter became an active and successful member of the Taber community as partner-owner and publisher of the Taber Times, a weekly newspaper and printing company. In 1980, Walter received the Silver Quill Award from the National Community Newspaper Association for “outstanding service to weekly newspaper journalism”. Walter served on the Town of Taber Recreation Board, Library Board and Archive and Museum Society. He also spent many years as executive secretary of the Alberta Japanese Canadian Community Association (JCCA) and was a member of the JCCA national council. Walter will be remembered as a loyal and kind husband, brother, uncle and friend.
If friends so desire, in lieu of koden and flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.