Ogata, Val I.'s Obituary
Val I. Ogata passed peacefully on October 18, 2024 under hospice care. He was 72 years old.
Val was born on December 5, 1951 in Kealakekua, Kona. He spent his childhood years on the Big Island before moving with his family to Oahu, where he graduated from Farrington High School. He then moved to Maui in 1975 to help open the Thom Mcann store. It was through this job that he met his wife, Liane.
Val and Liane were married in 1977. He took up tennis shortly after this. He helped to start the Blazers tennis team and was involved with the Wailuku Junior Tennis program on Maui. Val developed a lot of great friendships through tennis.
In 1979 Val began his career at GTE Hawaiian Tel, as a warehouse clerk and held many positions through the years. He worked for the company for 33 years before retiring in 2012 as the Senior Manager/Island Manager for Maui County. He knew everyone and many friendships continued through retirement.
Val loved golfing, and he eventually started the Rainbow Golf Club, where he would meet lifelong friends. He also enjoyed traveling (especially to Las Vegas), and most of all loved spending time with his three grandchildren.
Val was predeceased by his parents, Ricky and Florence Ogata, and his sister Velma. He is survived by wife, Liane; daughter, Jodie (Jacy) Lau; and son, Sean (Katrina) Ogata; and grandchildren Lily, Oakley, and Gavin.
Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Nakamura Mortuary. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. with service at 10:00 a.m. The family kindly requests no flowers or monetary offerings.
The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for Val at Kaiser Clinic, Kaiser Moanalua Hospital and Maui Memorial Hospital.
What’s your fondest memory of Val?
What’s a lesson you learned from Val?
Share a story where Val's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Val you’ll never forget.
How did Val make you smile?