Toyo Kaponpon
Published October 7, 2016
Toyo Kaponpon
April 12, 1921 – Oct. 7, 2016
At age 95, Toyo Kaponpon passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 7, 2016. Toyo was born April 12, 1921 on Miyakojima (Miyako Island), Okinawa Prefecture, Japan to Nikiya and Yama Shimajiri. . She came to the United States of America with her husband, John Rogers and her daughter, Ida, in February, 1948, settling first in the Seattle area. In March, 1954, the family moved to Bainbridge Island, where she remained until her departure.
After the death of her husband, John, in February of 1967, Toyo married Eugene Kaponpon in August of 1969. They were happily married for 26 years, until his passing in 1995.
Toyo was predeceased in death by all of her siblings, three husbands: Kouan Makishi, John Rogers and Eugene Kaponpon and two sons: Yasuhiro Makishi and Yasunori Makishi.
She is survived by her daughter, Ida Rogers (Tacoma), sons John Rogers of Lake Oswego; Michael Rogers and daughter-in-law, Cherie of Bainbridge Island; daughters-in-law Harue Makishi and Kiyoko Makishi, both of Japan; grandchildren Yayoi Makishi, Yasumori Makishi, Yasuyuki Makishi, Naoko Makishi, Satoru Makishi, all of Japan, Steven Rogers of Tennessee, Christie Herbert of Oregon, Brian Kucich of New Jersey, Maria Rogers of Seattle and Amanda Rogers of Bainbridge Island; great-grandchildren: Emily Rogers, Jordan Rogers, Garrett Cornelius, Xander, Asher and Gage Kucich.
Toyo’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Cook’s Family Funeral Home, 163 Wyatt Way NE, Bainbridge Island.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BIJAC (Bainbridge Island Japanese-American Community), PO Box 10449, Bainbridge Island. WA 98110.