Charles M. 'Chuck' Kataoka

Charles M. "Chuck" Kataoka, 84, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in Eagle, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at Kayser's Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake with Dr. Paul Wagner officiating. Inurnment will follow in Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

"Chuck" was born Jan. 27, 1923, in Ogden, Utah to Chie and Asashichi Kataoka. After graduating from Rosebud High School in Rosebud, Mont., in 1942, he worked and managed the family farm. Chuck served briefly in the U.S. Army in 1945. Chuck and Aki Shirasago married in 1947 in Hardin, Mont. In 1954, they moved to Moses Lake, where they spent the next 48 years. Chuck farmed sugar beets, beans and wheat in the Columbia Basin, earning the award "Conservation Farmer of the Year" in 1981-82. In December 2006, Chuck moved to Eagle, Idaho to be closer to his daughter and her family. Chuck was active in the Presbyterian Church for many years, and was active in numerous bowling leagues and tournaments. He also enjoyed woodworking after his retirement from farming. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Aki, sister Lilly Hayano, brother William Kataoka, brother Arthur Kataoka, and an infant sister. Survivors include his son and daughter in-law, Richard and Gail Kataoka of Lynnwood, Wash., daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Dana McCarter of Boise, Idaho, grandchildren Bradley Kataoka of Lynnwood, Wash., Allison Kataoka of Everett, Wash., and Colton McCarter of Boise, Idaho, sisters Ruth Nishioka of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Maxine Sawada of Kennewick, Wash., and Shirley Kong of San Jose, Calif.