James Thomas Nakashima
July 14, 1993 - September 13, 2015
James Thomas Nakashima
jt nakashima?, beloved son, brother, nephew, grandson and friend, died unexpectedly in his sleep Sunday, September 13th, 2015. jt? was born with his twin sister Lizzy, on July 14th, 1993 to Christie North and Bruce Nakashima. From the very beginning, jt?'s endless curiosity shined through. He was a voracious reader, reading anything and everything. You could talk to him about any subject and he would have more than just a passing knowledge. His motto was "question everything", hence, his signature always ended with the question mark.
jt? loved to travel, taking his first plane trip at 10 months. He enjoyed family trips to Hawaii, the Bahamas and road trips throughout the West and to Canada; a summer ski trip to Portillo, Chile with his Dad and Uncle Brian; trips to Minneapolis and Chicago with Aunt Julie and Uncle Mark; and trips to Australia, Canada and Mexico with his best friend and soul mate Gretchen Sherwood. He was also looking forward to an upcoming trip to Portugal with Gretchen, Aunt Julie and Uncle Mark.
jt? was also very creative and artistic, creating many unique paintings and other works of art. He had a great love for animals – his orange tabby Marmalade, stray cats in Hawaii and the Bahamas, the mascot St. Bernard at the Hotel Portillo, koala in Australia, lion cub and toucan in Mexico. And, his family and close friends will always remember quick wit and dry sense of humor.
While attending Skyline High School, he earned both his Pharmacy Tech Certification and Phlebotomy License upon graduation in 2011. He enjoyed working in the Pharmacy at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and his many friends there. jt? was also a junior at the University of Utah, College of Engineering.
jt? is survived by his parents; twin sister Lizzy; aunts and uncles Brian Nakashima, Julie and Mark Mele, Sandy (Cookie) North, Simon Linwood, Dan North and Sheila Linwood; cousins Mike Johnson and Lexie Linwood; and grandfather Frank Nakashima. Preceded in death by grandparents Gene and Patty North and grandmother Helen Nakashima.
A wake will be held to honor jt? on Friday, October 2nd, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building.
In Loving Memory
Christie & Family, I am so sad to hear of JT's passing. My thoughts are with you all. Tina Moon
Tina Moon
West Jordan, Ut
Christie, Bruce, and Lizzy: I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a tremendous loss. May God give you strength.
Lynda England
Sandy, UT
Christie & Family, My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Amy (Baldwin) Chineduh
Amy Chineduh (Baldwin)
Las Vegas, NV
Christie, Bruce, and Lizzy, Our deepest sympathy and hope that you can find peace in this difficult time. What a gift, if too brief, to share in jt?'s life! Mike
Mike Silver
Salt Lake City, Ut
Christie, Bruce and Liz, My deepest sympathy during this difficult time. Remember all the great times with JT? My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Jean Zignorski
Clifton, NJ
Christie, Bruce and Lizzy, I cannot begin to know your pain but I am sending you love and support during this tragic time. jt? was truly one of a kind and will be missed by so many.
Heidi Jaeger
Park City, UT
Bruce, Christie & Lizzy, My deepest sympathies in your time of sorrow. He will always be with you in your hearts.
Karen Jensen
Cranberry Twp, PA
Bruce & Family, So sorry to hear of your profound loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time. Stephanie Scott
Stephanie Scott
Butler, PA
Bruce and Family, I was heartbroken to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Ashley Bennion
Ashley Bennion
Clinton, UT
Christie, Bruce and Lizzy: I was so sorry to hear about JT, I can't express how sad I feel for all of you for his passing. My prayers are with you at this time, may you be blessed with strength to get through this time and become closer to one another.
Mike Nesbit
Sandy, uT
Bruce & Family, I can't imagine the sorrow you feel. Know we are thinking about you and your family and praying that you might be comforted in some way.
Ben Winfield
Gilbert, AZ
Bruce and family: Please know how sorry I am for your loss. You and your entire family are and will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Barb
Barbara Hogan
Cranberry Township, PA
Bruce and Family, my deepest condolences to your loss. May God be with you as you pass through this hard time.
Pat Martin
Orem, Ut
Christie & Family, Sorry to hear of your son's passing . My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Kaye Hendry
Kaye Hendry
nan, nan
Christie & family, In hearing of the passing of your son, my heart aches for your family. A loss of one so dear leaves a void that will never be filled yet and a pain that can be dulled only through the passing of time. My thoughts are with you and my prayers to heaven are that you will find a measure of comfort and peace. My belief is that your beloved son, JT, is in a place of light and life with a father who loved him first and dear ones that have welcomed him home. May your moments of quiet and thoughtfulness bring sweet remembrance of a life that brought joy and love to many. My deepest sympathy,
Wyatt Packer
Layton, UT
Christie & Family: I'm so saddened to hear about your son's passing. I can't even imagine! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Michele Gentz
Taylorsville, Ut
Bruce and Christie: I am sorry to hear about JT's passing. Such a shock and such unexpected news. I remember him as that little boy of yours. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Glenn Lyman
St. George, UT
Christie and family, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. My thoughts are with you.
Clare Tobin Lence
Salt Lake City, UT
Christie, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and your family and wishing you the very best. Korey
Korey Capozza
nan, Ca
Bruce and Christie, So sorry to hear of your son's passing. May you feel peace at this tender time. Kathy Festin
Kathy Festin
Salt Lake City, Ut
To Nakashima Family: It is with deep regret we read of the passing of a young man full of full of life, adventure and potential unfulfilled yet having accomplished much in a life cut much too soon. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. Raymond and Yo Uno
Raymond and Yo Uno
SALT LAKE CITY, Ut
Bruce and Family, My sincere condolences on the loss of your son and brother. May your memories bring you comfort and peace to your hearts..
Bobbi Wass
Warrendale, PA
Bruce and Family, We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your son. Our prayers are with you.
Rich Wilcox
West Jordan, UT
Christie, Bruce and Lizzy, Prayers going to you all. May the Hopi Prayer help with your healing process. Hugs to you, Sandy Hopi Prayer -author unknown Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint in the snow. I am the sunlight on the ripened grain. I am the autumn's gentle rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush. Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die.
Sandy Cummings
Riverton, UT