James Goro Akima
James Akima Obituary
James Goro Akima unexpectedly passed away at his home on Monday, July 20, 2026. He was born August 18, 1969, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Wallace Akima and Sandra (Mizota) Akima. The family moved to the Big Island in 1975. He graduated from Kohala High School in 1987.
Kimo joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1987-1991. Kimo was a proud Fleet Marine. He was deployed to Desert Shield, then into Desert Storm. He served four years active and four years inactive to finish his contract. He moved back to Hawaii in 1991. In 1997, he joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His MOS was 13-Papa until 2000, when he changed his MOS to aviation. In 2000, he PCS'd to Korea for one year. He proudly served as an AH-16 Apache Armament Repairer. He then returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served for eleven years; during that time, he deployed four times to the Middle East. After the first deployment, he was in the TI Shop as an inspector. He loved working on Apache helicopters. He finished his last two years at Fort Riley, Kansas, working as a cadre member with the Wounded Warrior Battalion. He retired in October of 2014 with twenty-five years of honorable service.
During his career, he met the love of his life in Oklahoma. On October 27, 2000, he married Mindy (Lynch) Akima. They started their family at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where Emma, John-Wallace, Ruthie, and Gary were born. Jamesy completed their family while at Fort Riley, Kansas. After retiring, they moved back to Southwest Oklahoma to raise their family. In 2015, they found their church home at Crossroads Baptist Church in Elgin, Oklahoma. Kimo faithfully served in the church as a janitor, helped cook, VBS, and anywhere that needed help- he was there. After years of struggling with being worthy of salvation, he finally understood that Jesus died for all sins. He was saved in August of 2017 and was baptized.
He loved Jesus and his church family. Kimo was devoted to his family and was so proud of all his children. Kimo was looking forward to being a Papa as his oldest daughter is expecting their first daughter. He was well known for his love of SPAM and his Coca-Cola! Like any good Hawaiian, he loved his rice and Aloha Shoyu. Kimo was a foodie and judged every restaurant by the size, or lack of, amount of food. He was even kicked out of a buffet because he went past their ninety-minute rule in Vegas. He had a great sense of humor, and those who were close to him were blessed by it. Kimo looked gruff, but he had the biggest heart.
He is survived by his wife, Mindy Akima, and their children: John-Wallace, Ruthie, and Jamesy of the home, and Emma and son-in-law, Trey of Chester, Arkansas; his parents, JR and Sandra Akima of Kohala, Hawaii; and siblings: Wally and Kevan Akima, Lehua and Dennis Matsuda, Gary and Lynn Akima, John and Jessica Akima; father-in-law, John Lynch of Apache, Oklahoma; brother-in-law, Lee and Gemma Lynch; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunties, and uncles.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gary; father, Wallace Akima; mother-in-law, Glenda Lynch; brother-in-law, Todd Lynch; and both sets of grandparents.
Funeral services are planned for 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 28, at Crossroads Baptist Church in Elgin with Pastor Curtis Erwin officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Shane McElhaney, Frankie Zollars, A.J. McGovern, Lt. Col. Chris Etheridge, Lucas Miller, and Airman Apprentice, Brett Starkey. Following the service, Kimo will be cremated, and in the Hawaiian tradition, a celebration of his life will be held in one year. Arrangements are under the direction of Crews Funeral Home of Apache.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be deeply grateful for any contribution to assist with funeral expenses. Donations may be made through Zelle using mail to: Mindyakima@yahoo.com
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