Masaru "Mack" Katayama

Masaru (Mack) Katayama was born in Salinas, California. He was the youngest of five children. His family established a successful farm which was taken away from them with the Executive Order 9066. The Katayama Family were interned at Poston Relocation Center in AZ. Upon their release they moved to the Tonville area in Colorado. Mack often told stories of how difficult this time was on their family and they really had nothing, cooking in cans that were given to them and walking many miles to find any work. They eventually settled in Brighton CO, where he lived till his passing on June 7, 2023 at the age of 90.

Mack graduated from Brighton High School in 1951. (He enjoyed attending his class reunions). He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 3rd Engineer Company C Battalion 24. Even though he felt it was a forgotten war, he was very proud of his experience and even got to see some relatives in Japan during his stint overseas.

Upon returning home Mack utilized the GI bill and was able to attend some higher education in Kansas City, but obtaining a degree was cut short to come back to help his family’s struggling farm.

Mack worked for Boise Cascade and The Component and Construction Company. That is when he became interested in the construction industry. He started a construction company with Bob Hill. Later in the 70’s with the addition of Bill Stephen they created a development company called HKS. He retired from construction in 1999 and closed HKS in 2002. Mack built many houses and had his hand in several projects throughout Brighton and surrounding areas.

He helped many people out throughout his lifetime in a lot of different ways. He often reminisced and how he missed the old days when people knew each other and they would help each other out. And to know Mack you were bound to hear a story or learn something. (There are so many life stories we could never include them all.)

Mack was very fortunate to be able to travel throughout the US states, with one regret, the only state he never made it to, Hawaii. For many years on Sundays and most holidays he and friends could be found up at the “hill”. In his later years you could set your clock on his lunch and dinner routine.

His friends and family meant a lot to him. He had saved cards, holiday notes, graduation announcement and thank-you’s. Also found were many funeral programs of so many people that were important to him.

Mack is proceeded in death by his siblings Joe, Jane (Watanabe), Charlie, Yo (Miyoshi) and several close friends. He leaves behind his sibling’s families, great neighbors and many, many friends. (You know who you are.)

We thank all those who cared for Mack during the last few years. (Which wasn’t always easy.) And we thank the friends and family that were able to visit him to try and lift his spirits.

He was his very independent self until the end.

We are sorry but per Mack’s request (in capital letters) he did not want any services.