Samurai of the Kenai has passed

[Newell Nut]

I fished a number of trips with Wes Yamaoka on the Kenai and in my opinion he was the best. He will be missed by many.

Wesley Takeshi Yamaoka Samurai Of The Kenai
October 14, 1952 - August 5, 2015
Longtime Soldotna resident, Mr. Wesley Takeshi Yamaoka, Samurai of
the Kenai, 62, died Wednesday, August 5, 2015 in Soldotna.
An Open House Celebration will be held 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 11,2015
at 1055 Keystone Drive in Soldotna. For directions please call Matthew at 907-398-3
Wesley was born October 14, 1952 in Hilo, Hawaii.
He served in the Army for 4 years during that time he served in South Korea.
He moved to Alaska in 1965 where he lived in Fairbanks prior to moving to Soldotna.
Wes was contracted in 1974 to build on the TransAlaska Pipeline and also worked
for Arco from February 1984
1999. In 1999 BP bought out Arco and Wes continued to work for them up
until 2014 in which he retired from BP.
Wes was known as the Samurai of the Kenai; he LOVED to fish!! He also loved
the love of his life, Marian and his loyal loving lab, Kaila.
He was very family oriented and an amazing father to his two sons, Matthew and
Timothy. He is very much loved and will always be remembered and truly
missed. FISH ON WES! Fishing is not a matter of life and death. Its much
more important than that. Wes knew every inch of the Kenai River and if the
fish were in, he knew where they were.
He was preceded in death by his father Takeshi Yamaoka and his mother, Sayoko
Niver.
He is survived by the love of his life, Marian Sloan of Soldotna; sons, Matthew
(Amber) Yamaoka of Soldotna and Timothy Yamaoka of Michigan; step-son,
Cody Sloan of Anchorage, sisters, Joyce (Danny) Kamiyama of Aiea, HI, Cynthia
(Tom) Pantley of Tacoma, WA, Cheryl Boreta of Soldotna, and Iris (Steve)
Glaab of Austin, TX; grandson, Joshua of Soldotna and many extended family
and friends.
Arrangements Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory.
Please sign his online guestbook at AlaskanFunera1.com.
Born: October 14, 1952
Death: August 5, 2015

[Dominick]

RIP Wes.  That was too young for anyone.  My condolences.  Dominick

[broadway]

Sounds like an interesting guy. I'm sure he will be missed by many.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Dom

[Reel 224]

Certainly to young to leave this life. My condolences to his Family.

Joe