Sayoko "Judy" Nakajima-Morgan

Sayoko “Judy” Nakajima – Morgan of Grants Pass, OR. peacefully passed away in the early evening on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Maureen’s Adult Foster Care facility in Grants Pass. For the past several years, Judy had been battling eyesight and kidney complications as a result of her Type 1 Diabetes and finally succumbed to her health complications from cardiac arrest. She was 85.


Born in Japan, Sayoko grew-up in a very volatile time during World War II when the Japanese and the Americans were brutal enemies. After the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II in 1945, she joined the Japanese workforce. In the mid-1950s, Sayoko met and fell in love with her Husband of 55 years, U.S. Air Force personnel Judson S. Morgan of Williamsport, PA., while working as a Bank Teller for Chase Manhattan Bank in Tokyo during the Korean War. She claimed he looked like the popular 50s movie star, Rock Hudson. Jud and Judy were married in Japan on October 13, 1956 and moved to the United States shortly thereafter. Within a year, she became a Mother with the birth of her first child, a daughter, Deborah and subsequently bore two sons, Arthur Scott Morgan and Mitchell Glenn Morgan. After living in Eastern Pennsylvania for many years as well as Maichingen, Germany for 4 years, Judy and Jud moved to Grants Pass, OR. after Jud’s retirement from I.B.M. She was adored and loved by many and will always be remembered for her infectious smile, warm hearted spirit and enthusiastic energy.


Sayoko led a wonderful, fulfilling and wholesome life and is survived by her beloved Husband, Judson, Daughter, Deborah, Sons, Arthur and Mitchell, Son-in-law, Gene Webber, Daughter-in-laws, Arleen Arimura-Morgan and Sabrina Chin-Morgan, Granddaughter, Gillian Samantha Morgan, Brothers, Katsutoshi and Isamu Nakajima and Sisters, Humiko Yamada, Miyoko Maruyama and Kazuko Nakajima. She was a devoted and loving Wife, Mother, Nana, Sister and Friend.


In her spare time, Judy enjoyed the friendship and company of her many acquaintances at the Fred Meyer store in Grants Pass as well as the Dutch Brothers Coffee staff located within the store. She always enjoyed her favorite cup of Cappuccino while shopping and visiting with her friends at Fred Meyer and Dutch Brothers Coffee. She also enjoyed traveling and visiting the Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR. and the Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR.


Per Sayoko’s final wishes, no public funeral or memorial services will be held. She asked that her body be cremated and her remains spread in the Pacific Ocean during a private Family memorial celebration. On behalf of the entire Morgan Family, we’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to Pete & Maureen Cobb at Maureen’s Adult Foster Care for comforting and caring for Sayoko during her final moments here on earth and we thank all the Nurses and Staff members at the Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their care of Sayoko during her multiple visits to Highland House. Also, to Sayoko’s long time friend, Humie Sampson of Huntingdon Valley, PA., “domo arigato gozaimasu” for being our gracious interpreter and for contacting the Nakajima Family in Japan.


Sayoko will be sorely missed by everyone she knew and touched. We love you forever, Sayoko!


Cards and letters may be sent to 850 Red Mountain Drive, Grants Pass, OR. 97526.