Dwight Hamada Obituary

Dwight Noboru Hamada passed away September 29, 2023, at Hood River Care Center in Hood River, Oregon, where he received excellent care for the last seven months. Dwight was a lifetime resident of Parkdale, Oregon, until he joined the vibrant community at Down Manor Senior Living in Hood River in 2020. He embraced the people and activities of Down Manor, living his best life there. Dwight was born September 24, 1949, in Hood River, the second child of Noboru and Mary Hamada. He lived and worked on the family pear and apple orchard in Parkdale. He graduated from Wy’east High School in 1967. Dwight was an orchardist until he retired and sold the orchard in 2020. He delighted in letting it be known that he didn’t like eating apples or pears, even though he grew them. Dwight enjoyed traveling to Germany to visit his brother Roger and family four times, also taking trips to Austria, Italy and the Netherlands. He looked forward to going to Lake Tahoe for frequent Matsubu family reunions. He loved attending spring training baseball games in Arizona, sitting in the outfield grass with other family members. Dwight was an Oregon Ducks and Los Angeles Dodgers fan and an enthusiastic supporter of his nephews’ sports teams. In his younger years, Dwight bowled in the local league. He also liked to watch the Andy Griffith Show, and playing Keno with his friends at Thirteen O One. Previously, Dwight was an active member of the Hood River Elks club, working his way up to Exalted Ruler. In recent years he was a volunteer bartender at the Eagles. He loved giving treats to the Down Manor office dog, Reagan, and to Budger, the namesake of his favorite covid-era "bar. " Dwight is survived by brother Roger (wife Barbara) of Munich, Germany; sister Sandy Bigelow (husband Bill) of Bend, Oregon; niece Jana Jackson; nephews Lukas (Katie) and Phillip (Sanna) Hamada and Ryan (Alicia) and Brandon (Ahyeong) Bigelow; seven great-nieces and great-nephews and numerous cousins. Dwight’s parents and a sister, Maxine Jackson, preceded him in death. Vault interment will be at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. Special thanks to the staffs at Providence St. Vincent Medal Center, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, and the Hood River Care Center for the compassionate care Dwight received. Please make memorial contributions to Hood River Care Center (please reference Residents’ Fund) or Hood River Memorial Hospital Foundation, c/o Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, Oregon 97031.