Taro Monty Nishiyori was born to Yukichi and Ayako Nishiyori on September 21, 1941. He was the grandson of Vashon Island pioneers, Ujiro and Fuyo Nishiyori. He joined an older sister, Meiko.

He and his family were relocated to Heart Mountain, Wyoming, during World War II. Taro was the youngest evacuee from Vashon Island. A younger brother, Roy, joined the family upon their return to Vashon.

Taro attended Vashon schools. When he was in grade school, his mother, with whom he was close, died in a traffic accident.

At Vashon Island High School, Taro took classes from Arden Ibsen, the shop teacher, whom he admired and from whom he learned most of his prodigious woodworking skills. Taro was especially talented mechanically and could repair anything.

After graduation from Vashon Island High School, he attended Olympic Junior College. He then joined The Boeing Co. where he worked for many years, primarily on military projects. Building large model airplanes was a hobby that he enjoyed.

Taro and Carol Nedderman, of Vashon, were married in 1962. The couple had three children: Kenneth, Kathleen Kay and Karl, and one grandson, Coltan. All survive him. Taro is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Sylvia Nishiyori, of Bonney Lake, by his nieces, Richelle and Laura, by his nephew, Gavin, and by his long-time friends, Carol Porter, Gary Larsen and John Miceli. Taro’s parents and his sister, Meiko, died previously.

Taro was generous—with his time and skills, helping family and friends, and with his contributions to family celebrations. He inherited his father’s love of gardening and routinely shared vegetables from his garden. He grew a huge selection of gorgeous dahlias. He was also a talented cook. For many summers, he hosted a large luau at his home in Auburn.

Taro was a lover of animals and was especially fond of his little dog, Elliott.

Those wishing to remember Taro could consider a contribution to the Humane Society of the United States or a charity of their choice.