11/26/2025
YOSHIO NAKAMURA 1925-2025
The Whittier High School Alumni Association mourns the loss of WHS faculty member Yoshio Nakamura, who passed away on November 22 at the age of 100.
"What an amazing individual!" remarked Alumni Association President Rob West upon learning of his passing.
A Japanese American (Nisei), Yosh grew up in Rosemead prior to the events of World War II. Following a period of internment, he served in the war in Europe as a member of the "Go for Broke" 442nd Regimental Combat Team, earning numerous military honors, including a Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor. Yosh's unit received a Presidential Unit Citation and the Congressional Gold Medal.
Yosh served as an Art Teacher at Whittier High School from 1952-63. Several of his students, including Lorne Peterson and Raul Rodriguez, would go on to successful careers in the arts themselves. A mural by Yosh hangs in the Whittier High library. He was inducted into the Whittier High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2024, the "Q" building at Whittier High School was named in his honor.
Following eleven years at Whittier High, Yosh moved up to Rio Hondo College, serving as an art professor, dean and Vice President of Community Services.
A prolific artist, Yosh's works were the subject of more than 150 exhibitions. Yosh's work could frequently be found at the Whittier Art Gallery and the Hillcrest Fine Arts festival. More than anything else, he was known as a kind and caring member of the Whittier community. He and his family donated a scholarship to the Whittier High School Alumni Association for several years.
Yosh is predeceased by Grace, his wife of 67 years, but survived by three children and numerous other relatives.
