Note: This message was originally sent on November 20, 2018
Good morning,
I hope everyone had a restful evening after a BIG win last night… how about that blood pressure?????
I greet you with two stories during this Thanksgiving week… One about the Cade family and the scholarship they created and continue to grow – each year. Additionally, nearly every day in UA, we receive an email from one of our colleagues that captures obituary notices that we have received from alumni families. I thought you all might appreciate the story of James Y. Nagahiro ’75 provided below. How lucky are we to play a formative part in the stories of our alumni, their families, their legacies, and their support of others? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Joseph F. and Sharon M. Cade (’76) Scholarship
Joe and Sharon Cade graduated as Mathematics majors in 1976. From that year, they gave to Gonzaga University, and subsequently initiated their scholarship in 1979. While at GU, Sharon played varsity basketball for four years, served as an RA and RD, was the President of Spur (now called Setons), and helped with searches, among other activities. Joe was the Campus Council Chairman and received the Lindberg Loyalty award at graduation. Sharon retired as a mathematics teacher in 2007 after working her last 21 years at Oregon Episcopal School. Joe has spent over 30 years in various positions, predominantly in energy conservation at the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland. The Cades have three adult children, David, Steven, and Nicole. They have stayed involved with Gonzaga on several levels, including serving on the Board of Regents, working with GAMP, helping to recruit students from Portland, and as co-vice-presidents of the Portland Alumni Chapter. Joe and Sharon highly valued their time at GU and the giving spirit of GU: participating in and leading many activities there. Their scholarship is for students who mirror this involvement in the Gonzaga Community, major in math, have a sophomore standing or above, and maintain at least a B average. Since the scholarship’s inception in 1979, a total of $69,302 has been awarded to 46 students to help with their education at GU. A 2017-18 recipient wrote: “I plan to become a high school math teacher, and eventually I hope to pursue a Master's in Teaching. I can't wait to have my own classroom, and I'm excited to work with students and hopefully help them better understand math. I am honored and extremely grateful for this award! This benefits my entire family, and I would not be where I am today without their support. I am so thankful to be where I am, and I'm also thankful for what the math department has given me and their constant encouragement.”
James Y. Nagahiro (B.A. 1975): Jim, 86, passed peacefully 10/23/18 at Scott Farrar Assisted Living, Peterborough, NH, where he lived with his wife, Alice. Jim remained positive & strong-mindedly independent despite burgeoning debility. Simple tasks like dressing took him 2 hrs, but he always showed "thumbs up" to family & staff. He "slipped" the day he passed, wouldn't say "fall". When staff came to help him from the floor, Jim said: "I called you all here for a meeting". His "can-do" will and sense of humor guide his family towards aging with grace & patience. Born 4/17/32, Honolulu, HI, Jim attended Mid-Pacific Institute with the love & generous support of elder siblings Warren Nagahiro, Beatrice Mito, & Edna Hironaka, for which he was eternally grateful. Enlisting in the US Air Force, after 2 years @ U of H, he was selected for the Aviation Cadet Program. A 30-year career in the AF was the hallmark of Jim's professional life. He navigated C-124s & piloted B-47 & B-52s. Equal family man & airman, Jim would say his extensive & successful career was made possible by the support of Alice. Her devotion to their family & crew families was vital. In 1972, Jim flew B-52s from Anderson AFB, Guam. A fateful flight Dec 21, during Operation Linebacker II, resulted in a shootdown. During time as POW at the "Hanoi Hilton", & prior two months as MIA, Alice never lost faith that he would come home. He returned in March, then while still serving his country, Jim completed his BA and MBA Gonzaga U, Spokane, WA, graduating Cum Laude in 2 1/2yrs. The last 6 years of his AF career were spent in the AF Logistics Command. Retiring at the rank of Colonel, Dec 82, Jim followed his next calling, becoming Chief Admin Officer for the Buddhist Churches of America, San Fran, CA. Jim & Alice retired in 1997, moving to Rindge, NH, to be near beloved grandkids. They spent the next 20 years logging countless hours & miles attending school events, gymnastics, dance, swim meets, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, football, & lacrosse games. Preceded in death by son Jon & son-in-law Steve, Jim is survived by wife of 63 yrs, Alice (ALNG 1986); daughters Ann & Lynn (Frank), son David (Ivy); grandsons Conrad, Frank, Sean & Seamus; granddaughters Sydney & Claire; and sister Edna.