In Loving Memory of David and Jean Kazunobu Toyama

Asian Celebration founders

David Kazunobu Toyama passed away peacefully on November 8, 2018, while surrounded by his family.

David was born May 28, 1926 in Honolulu Hawaii to Yukishige And Matsu Toyama. He met the love of his life, Jean Yaeko Nakata where both were working at the Kaimuki Inn on Oahu, Hawaii. Shortly after enlisting in the Army, he asked Jean to travel to Japan where he was stationed and they were married in Kobe, Japan on November 10, 1952. They spent the first part of their lives together in Japan as David served in the US Army from 1950-1974. As a military intelligence officer, he also served two tours in Korea and one tour in Vietnam. David’s last assignment was in Eugene, Oregon, and both decided to call it their home. David then worked with Lane County Taxation and Assessment until his second retirement.

David was very active in the Japanese American community in Eugene. He was a founding member of the Japanese American Association, the Asian American Foundation of Oregon, and the Asian Council. He helped to establish the organizations formally as non-profits and to organize auctions to support scholarships, the annual O’Bon Dance and Taiko Festival, Kite Festival and the Asian Celebration, a multicultural festival going on its 35th year. Both David and Jean worked to promote cultural understanding, mutual respect and friendship among all people through cultural activities. Their home was always filled with the spirit of aloha and friends who were part of their family.

David lived a full and happy life, dedicated to serving his country and raising his family. His wife Jean predeceased him on December 5, 2015. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy and husband Tim; his son, Mark and wife Sue; his granddaughters, Trisha and husband Gregg, Jennifer and husband James; three great grandchildren Rachel, Brian and Elizabeth, and extended family who still live in Hawaii.

Both he and Jean will be laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu Hawaii, where private family services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Asian-American Foundation of Oregon for scholarships to support students actively spreading cultural understanding. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com

— Register Guard November 25, 2016

In Loving Memory of Frances Kucera

Oregon Asian Celebration Hospitality Chairperson

Over the past 30 years, when visitors entered through the main doors of the Oregon Asian Celebration, a wide smile welcomed them to the largest Asian cultural festival in Oregon. The person behind the smile — Frances Kucera — had a big heart and passion for promoting Asian and Asian- American cultural diversity in our community.

We sadly lost Frances this past fall, but her presence and contributions will forever be remembered.

Frances was introduced to the community more than 40 years ago. Jeanie Mah, a member of the Chinese American Benevolent Association, became good friends with Frances because of their shared love for cooking classes. Jeanie invited Frances to join a number of Asian community activities and cultural groups.

Frances quickly became an active member of event planning committees and served on the Asian Council Board of Directors, Asian Celebration Steering Committee, Asian Kite Festival, and the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. She also served as treasurer of the Asian Council and as hospitality chair of the Asian Celebration up until her passing this fall.

She was also a beloved member of many other community organizations including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Beta Sigma Phi, Eugene Recorders and Veterans groups, among many others. She loved skiing and playing in a women’s volleyball league back in 1970s and 1980s.

The Eugene-Springfield Asian Council is fortunate and honored that she contributed her time and talents to further the mission of our cultural organizations. We are indebted to her generosity and are fortunate to continue working with her Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters and Daughters of the American Revolution as greeters at the Oregon Asian Celebration.

We will miss her smile and gracious generosity.

— The Eugene-Springfield Asian Council, 2017

In Loving Memory of Donna Sakamoto Crispin

Oregon Asian Celebration Arts & Crafts Committee Chairperson

“She cared and loved for this community and especially the celebration family. Her amazing art work and passion for it was always inspiring,” says event chair David Tam. We pay tribute to her and the legacy of art she leaves behind. She will be remembered with love. Thank you Donna – we are privileged to have had the opportunity to know you and share in your light.

This from her husband Doug Crispin: R.I.P. Donna Sakamoto Crispin (1953 – 2019) It is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of my beloved wife: Donna Sakamoto Crispin, age 65. We met when I was a young National Park Ranger in Utah in 1979. Donna was a Grand Gulch backcountry patrol ranger, working for the Bureau of Land Management nearby. We later married on the rim of the Grand Canyon and have been together for 40 years! Donna became an accomplished fiber artist and basketmaker and we raised one wonderful son. She is survived by me, 67, Eugene, OR, son Russell, 31, from Bangkok, Thailand, and her sister Fran Edgerley, from Pleasanton, CA.

Donations can be sent to: