Yasushi Kurata, 72, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, at his home in Monterey Park, California.
Born on December 6, 1953, in Mie Prefecture, Japan, Yasushi was raised in Los Angeles, where he spent much of his life. He shared a close bond with his father, Yoshio Kurata, and grew up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood.
Yasushi had a deep love for music and found joy in life’s simple pleasures. In his younger years, he enjoyed long walks and had a fond appreciation for classic western films.
He is survived by his sister, Akiko Kawashima (Seiji); his nephews, Chris and Allen Kawashima; his niece, Amie Kawashima; and his great-nephew, Andreas (AJ) Panayiotou-Kawashima.
A memorial service will be held on April 1 at 3:00 p.m. at Rainbow Chapel, Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.