Idaho icon to be laid to rest on Veteran's Day
Idaho
Governor Butch Otter will be among many
attending the funeral service of Idaho State
Representative Patrick Takasugi, who served his
state for 10 years under three governors as
director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture
before being elected twice to represent Idaho's
District 10A.Takasugi, a third-generation farmer from Wilder, died November 6, three years after being diagnosed with appendix cancer. He was 62. He died surrounded by his wife, Suzanne, their three children and many others of his family and circle of friends.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 11, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Caldwell, with internment to follow at Wilder Cemetery. A dinner at the church will follow the internment.
Pat was born June 9, 1949, in Brigham City, Utah, and he grew up on the family farm in Wilder then operated by his father, Michio. He graduated from Vallivue High School and went on to study at the College of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
After graduating, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army, earning his Airborne wings, Ranger Tab and his special forces tab, wearing the distinguished green beret of the Army Special Forces, where he served as an intelligence officer, rising to the rank of captain before his honorable discharge and return to Idaho and his first love, farming.
He started out on 32-acres in Wilder and grew his operation to over 1,500 acres. Along the way, he not only farmed, but served farmers, taking on many roles with the Farm Bureau, both local and national, and serving in farming organizations including the Food Producers of Idaho, the University of Idhao Agricultural Consulting Council and the National Council of Agricultural Employers.
In 1996, Idaho Governor Phil Batt appointed Patrick director of the State of Idaho Department of Agriculture, a position he accepted on condition he could keep farming. He served on the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, including as a member of the board of directors and as president.
He traveled the world as a representative of Idaho agriculture.
In 2008, he was elected State Representative in District 10, Seat A.
With his wife, Suzanne, whom he married late in life, having taken the time to find his true soul-mate, he instilled his sterling values in their children, Taylor, 17, Cole, 16, and Paige, 13, telling them, "no matter what you do in life, whatever job you have, always, always, always make sure you can do it to leave it a better place than you found it."
And, according to all who knew him, he instilled that advice admirably by his own example.
He is survived by his wife and children, his parents, Michio and Ayako Takasugi, his little sister, Colleen Iwano and brother-in-law Andy Iwano, nephew David Iwano, sisters-in-law Laurie Backesand Kathy Backes and brother-in-law Alan Backes. The family extends great thanks to his doctor, Dan Zuckerman, and the staff at MSTI Boise, and to his farm managers and friends of 30 years, Raul Luna and Leo Sandoval.
"Representative Takasugi gave selflessly of his time, energy and resources in service to the people of Canyon County and all of Idaho. He was an icon of the agriculture community and a dear friend,"Governor Otter said. "Lori and I extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his wife Suzanne and their family, friends and constituents."