Doris was born in Fresno on September 14, 1929 to Kiyoe and Kinshiro Gamow. She was raised in Selma and graduated from Selma schools. Doris had two older sisters Miyeko and Yoshiko and is survived by her younger sister, Fumiko. During WWII like other Japanese Americans, the Gamow family was sent to an internment camp. They initially went to the Fresno Fairgrounds then were transferred to the Gila River camp in Arizona from 1942-1945. In 1950, Doris married Shoji Nakashima of Caruthers. They raised their children in Caruthers and successfully farmed Sun-Maid raisins for many decades. They were active in the Caruthers Fair Board, Bowles Buddhist Church, Fresno Betsuin and Hanford VFW. Doris and Sho were happily married for 63 years until his death in 2013.
Doris is predeceased by her beloved husband, Sho; sister Miyeko and husband George Baba; sister Yoshiko and her husband Yoshio Masada; brother-in-law Bert Mori and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Masao and Jean Nakashima.
Doris is survived by her sons Alan and wife Linda; Scott and wife Sandra; daughter Sherri and granddaughters Brooke; Lindsay and husband Brandon; Jennifer and husband Ben, and Lauren.
Memorial Service Fresno Buddhist Temple, 2690 E. Alluvial, Fresno, CA 93720, Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers or koden, donations can be made to: Central California Nikkei Foundation, 540 S. Peach Avenue, Fresno CA. 93727 Project Dana c/o Fresno Buddhist Temple, 2690 E. Alluvial Avenue, Fresno, CA. 93720. Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw Avenue, Ste 101, Fresno CA. 93711.
