Melvin Yosh Kato
January 16, 1955 - May 20, 2024
Melvin Yosh Kato, 69 passed away at UC Davis on Monday, May 20, 2024 surrounded by family.
Born January 16, 1955 in Lodi, California. He graduated from Tokay High School in 1973. Throughout the years he lived in Lodi, Niles, San Jose, and Stockton.
He worked for AT&T for 38 years. After retiring from AT&T he had a part-time job for 2 years (2016 - 2018) with San Joaquin County as a fee collector.
He loved to travel, go to casinos, play golf, and go fishing. He loved to play Games like Mexican Train, LCR, Monopoly, Scrabble, Rummy, and poker with family and friends. He loved to watch sports. His favorite teams were the 49ers, SF Giants, and the Golden State Warriors. Melvin loved his cell phone.
In January of 2019 he was diagnosed with (AML) Acute Myeloid Leukemia and it changed our lives forever. On June 7, 2022, he had a stem cell transplant, then on March 8, 2024, he had a second cell transplant as the Leukemia had returned. During his stay of 81 days in the hospital he had many complications, mostly with his heart. At the time of his passing, he was cancer free.
Melvin is survived by his wife Robin of 30 years, 4 God-children (Daniel, Dominique, Kai Man and Natalia), two nephews (Greg and Kevin), and his niece Alison.
He is Preceded in death by his parents Yoshino and Masanori, twin brother Kelvin, brother Milton, and sister Jane.
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the St. Joseph Cancer Center, UC Davis Hospital and Cancer Center doctors, nurses, and supporting staff (the team) for all of the loving care and support they gave my husband.
A service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 at the Buddhist Church of Lodi, located at 23 N. Stockton Street, Lodi, CA 95240.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Kato family.