Jack Donald Blanton
Jack Donald Blanton was born on May 20, 1931, and died on Aug. 3, 2023, from cancer. He is pre-deceased by Nancy Youngblood Blanton, his lovely wife of 62 years. He is survived by his son Keith (Ela Marie) Blanton, daughter Karen (Tim) Kah, grandchildren Katy (Brad) Martin, Cassie Kah and Alex Kah, sisters Linda Murski, Judy (Blaine) Hollinger, brother Bill Blanton and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was born in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended San Marcos Academy and then graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Chemistry. He returned to Port Arthur where he managed the dry cleaning department of Blanton’s Laundry. He soon met and fell in love with Nancy. They married when she was 18 and he was 22. Jack was drafted into the Army and he and Nancy moved to Germany, where they spent two years. They moved back to Port Arthur where Jack joined his father in the laundry business. With their two young children, they eventually moved to Houston where Jack purchased and operated Warren Cleaners. In 1974, the family moved to Crested Butte, Colorado, where they had enjoyed many summer and ski vacations. Jack started his own real estate company and was involved in the development of the Three Seasons Condominiums in Mt. Crested Butte. Then he took on a new adventure by helping to develop one of the most beautiful golf courses, surrounded by housing, called Skyland just outside of Crested Butte. It was a big risk and there were some tough times, but he never gave up. Jack was also involved in the opening of Trans-Colorado Airlines to provide service to Gunnison, Colorado, in the early 1980’s.
In the early 2000’s, Jack and Nancy moved to the beautiful island of Kaua‘i. Jack joined Sotheby’s and resumed his real estate career. After Nancy died in 2016, Jack decided that it just wasn’t the same without her there, and moved back to Texas to be near his sisters. He spent his remaining years in Montgomery, Texas, in an apartment overlooking beautiful Lake Conroe. He made many new friends there, but always missed Nancy, the love of his life.
Services will be held on Oct. 28, 2023, at 2 p.m., at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 10129 FM 1097, Willis, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Vitas Hospice, in memory of Jack Blanton, at 10450 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, Texas 77381; or go to the website at www.vitas.com. Thank you.
Carole C. Knutzen
Truly a loving and caring soul. Anahola was a home she appreciated daily, with her husband, Ernie, who was a pilot and flew the skies throughout the world and passed away before her. Carole was just 11 days short of being 90 years old upon her passing in her hometown of Marion, Illinois, on Aug. 23, 2023.
Carole leaves behind her four children Eric, Christian, Kathy and Kim. She will be dearly missed by them as well as ten grandchildren, one great- grandchild and another on the way!
We love you mamma Carole!
Alice N. Yamada
Alice N. Yamada, 104, of Kapa‘a, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2023, in Oxnard, California. She was born on April 11, 1919, and retired as an account clerk at Kapa‘a High School.
She was preceded in passing by husband Hideichi Yamada, parents Takeo and Fusa Nakaishi, 14 siblings, and son-in-law Frederic Peel.
Alice is survived by daughters Virigina Yamada, Bonnie (Frederic dec.) Peel, grandchildren Dawn (Elie) Peel Sauma, Lara (Anthony) Peel Hazenfield, Jason (Beverly) Peel, great-grandchildren Trisdan Ahuna, Jordan Peel and Sofia Sauma.
A private service will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to Shirley Negrillo and the Kaua‘i Hospice team. In lieu of koden (monetary gifts), the family requests you make donations directly to Kaua‘i Hospice.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Hirofumi Kono
Hirofumi Kono, known to many as “Kono,” “H,” and “Baba,” passed away at home in Aiea on July 5, 2023, at the age of 95. He was born on July 15, 1927, in Waimea, Kaua‘i and grew up in Mana, Kaua‘i. He attended Mana Grammar School and then Kalaheo Vocational School, where he studied automotive mechanics.
Hirofumi served in the U.S. Army as an army mechanic and was honorably discharged on Jan. 15, 1947. After serving in the military, Hirofumi worked as a Construction Inspector for the U.S. Coast Guard for 34 years. He was awarded many honors which included Outstanding Performance 14th Coast Guard District, Federal Employee of the Year and the prestigious Department of Transportation Secretaries Award for Excellence.
Hirofumi was an avid jogger and continued his exercise regimen well into his 90’s. After retirement, he helped many friends renovate or build extensions to their homes. He was passionate about gardening and spent most of his day outside tending to his fruit and vegetable garden.
Hirofumi was an incredibly kind and humble man. He was a loving husband, dedicated father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by his wife Yukiko Florence (Morioka) Kono, son Russell Kono, parents Kametaro and Takano Kono, brother Masahiro Kono, sisters Teruko Fung, Satsuki Taylor and Ihoko Mott.
Hirofumi is survived by sons Dr. Earl Kono (Joannie), Dean Kono, daughter Jay Ann Kau (Clayton), grandchildren Dr. Jordan Kono (Melissa), Daniel Kono, Dr. Jaymee Kau, Kailee Kau (Trey Aguano), great-grandchildren Ren, Taya, Tayden, sister-in-law Nancy Lee (Eiko) Kono, many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Mililani Mortuary, Mauka Chapel. Visitation begins at 5:30 p.m. with service to follow at 6 p.m. Inurnment will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
Luciano Raguer Salvador
Luciano Raguer Salvador, 93, passed away at home on Aug. 15, 2023. He was born on Jan. 10, 1930, in the Philippines. He was an agriculturist.
He was preceded in death by father Julio Salvador and mother Catalina Raguer.
He is survived by wife Clarita Salvador, sons Carlo (Rheya), James (Liz), Edgar (Catherine), sister Eliza (Florentino), grandsons Anthony, Christopher, Austin, Jared, Leonardo, Joseph, granddaughter Shyla, numerous nephews and nieces.
A service is Thursday, Sept. 21, at St. Theresa Church in Kekaha. Visitation begins at 9 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m., and burial will follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
