Sam Sakaguchi

Sanpei "Sam" Sakaguchi, 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 7, 2010, in Idaho Falls, surrounded by his loved ones. He was under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice. Sam was born February 24, 1925, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Sen Sakaguchi and Kino Nakamura Sakaguchi. He grew up in Rexburg and attended Washington and Adams Grade Schools and Madison High School, then moved to the Osgood area of Idaho Falls in 1940 and graduated from Ammon High School. Sam proudly served his country in the U. S. Army from 1943 to 1946. On December 10, 1948, he married Masa Martha Yamasaki in Idaho Falls. Sam and Martha farmed in Osgood until 1970, when they moved into town and Sam sold sprinkler systems for Hansen Irrigation Service. In 1978 he went to work as a manager for Golden West Irrigation Company and in 1984 he opened his own company, Asphalt Maintenance Specialists, Inc. He retired in 1992. Sam was instrumental in establishing the Sister Cities Program with Tokai-Mura, Japan and visited Japan several times as a delegate. He served as a Director of the Federal Land Bank for nine years, as Director of Palisades Waters Users for 10 years, on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee for three years, as President of Austin Canal Company for 20 years, on the Mayor's Human Rights Committee for five years, and as a Director of the Idaho Falls YMCA for two years. Sam served on the Idaho Falls City Council from 1978 to 1992, and was Chairperson of the Public Works Committee, was a State Legislative Committee Member, and was a Director of Eastern Idaho Special Services Agency. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Sam was very active and involved in our community with the American Legion, the War Bonnet Round-up Rodeo, the Japanese American Citizens League, Sports Round Table, Military Intelligence Service NW, Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association, Idaho Airport Management Association, Wyoming Airport Operators Association, 40-8 Chef De Gare, Eagles and Elks Lodges. Sam enjoyed skiing, bowling, fishing, and golf. Sam is survived by a daughter, Patsy (Neil) Komoda of Idaho Falls; three sons, Kent (Joy) Sakaguchi of HI, Ben (Marcia Bingham) Sakaguchi of Idaho Falls, and Wes (Karen) Sakaguchi of HI; four grandsons, Shane (Kallie) Komoda and son, Carter, Jason (Melissa) Komoda, Justin (Jenn) Sakaguchi and son, Aidan, Mark (Kara) Sakaguchi and stepsons AJ and Rylan and son, Teegan; two granddaughters, Jaime Sakaguchi and Candice Sakaguchi and her son, Tivon. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Takeno Sakaguchi, Ken Sakaguchi, and Bud Sakaguchi, and two sisters, Fumi Miyasaki and Miki Kobayashi. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 North Water, with Pastor Brenda Sene officiating. &nbsp Born: February 24, 1925&nbsp Place of Birth: Rexburg, ID&nbsp Death: December 7, 2010&nbsp Place of Death: Idaho Falls, ID

Funeral Services

Wednesday December 15, 2010 , 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist The family will visit with friends on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Sister Cities Fund, P. O. Box 51132, Idaho Falls, ID 83405.