Obituary of Alfred Minoru Yahanda

Alfred “Al” Minoru Yahanda, age 93, of Wimauma, FL, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2022.  He was born in Monterey, CA on August 13, 1929, residing there with his family until the onset of the Second World War when they were interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona.  After the war, the family relocated to Minneapolis, MN.  Al attended the University of Minnesota, then joined the US Air Force to become a fighter pilot.  In Minneapolis, he met Hoyoko Migaki, a physician at the Hennepin County General Hospital, and the two were married in 1957. 

During Al’s 25-year-long Air Force career, he and his family were stationed at posts stretching from Okinawa to the Pentagon.  He served two tours of duty in Viet Nam and was awarded the Silver Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.  He retired in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  After his retirement, he volunteered in his communities in Northern Virginia, Seattle, WA, and San Jose, CA, preparing taxes, delivering meals, and serving on a civil grand jury.  Following Hoyoko’s passing in 2013, Al moved to Wimauma, FL.

Al was known for his sense of humor, humility, generosity, tremendous work ethic, and his ability to make any gathering brighter with his presence.  He had a love for donuts, sports cars, and real estate, being a licensed real estate agent and appraiser, mortgage banker, and a home builder.

He is survived by his wife, Kay Monte-White of Wimauma (whom he married in 2019), daughter Anne Yahanda, MD and her husband, Alan Garber, MD, PhD of Cambridge, MA, son Alan Yahanda, MD and his wife, Pamela Thomas, MD of St. Louis, MO, and 7 treasured grandchildren.