Katz Nukaya

Katz Nukaya, 84, of Idaho Falls passed away, April 22, 2012, at Life Care Center of Idaho Falls. He was born as Katsumi Nukaya November 11, 1927, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Ine Nukaya and Kiukichi Nukaya. He was known as “Katz.” He was the fourth oldest and has six brothers and one sister. Katz attended Ammon Elementary, and Shelly High School, graduating in 1946. After high school he entered the U. S. Army and served in Japan, where he served as a clerk. He enrolled in college at the University of Utah and graduated from Idaho State University in the College of Pharmacy in 1952. He worked in Elko, Nevada, for a short time, and in 1956 opened Katz Pharmacy in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He then sold his pharmacy to his brother, Fumi Nukaya, in 1968. He was quite the entrepreneur and started many businesses, including Classic Billiards, Skyline Lanes Bowling Center, Arco Bowl, and until his death, Idaho Laboratories Corporation. He married O. Lee Galbraith on July 8, 1963. His hobbies included countless hours of fly-fishing in his early years, bowling and playing pool. His greatest passion has always been poker and when asked if he had ever won a tournament, his reply was always, “oh, just a few.” Katz is survived by his Wife, Lee Nukaya of Idaho Falls; Son, Jeff Fandrich (Christina), Colorado, Daughter, Tracey Fandrich, South Carolina, Son, Bryce Spaulding (Pam), Ammon, ID Daughter, Shelly Thompson, Idaho Falls,ID, Daughter, Margo Jensen (Reo), Plano, Idaho Daughter, Natalie Bruun, Carmel, Indiana. Sister, Kiyo Sakaguchi, Idaho Falls, Brother, Hito (Sharelle); Las Vegas, NV, Brother, Fumio (Mickey); Idaho Falls, Brother, Jun (Takako); Idaho Falls, Brother, Ken (Pam); Twin Falls, Idaho. Sisters-in-law, DeAun Nukaya and Harumi Nukaya both of Idaho Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, George (better known as Speed), and Shoji, and brother-in-law, Bud Sakaguchi. He has 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and too damn many nephews and nieces to count! Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2012, at the Ammon Cemetery. The family will visit with friends 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road.

Graveside Services

Thursday April 26, 2012 , 11:00 - a.m. at Ammon Cemetery