James Ray Dobesh's Obituary
JAMES RAY DOBESH
James Ray Dobesh (83) of Honolulu, Hawaii, died peacefully on
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, doing what he loved: being
outdoors, going for a swim, and being with his wife. He is
survived by his wife, Sandra Nakazaki Dobesh, and his two
children, Kay Dobesh and David Dobesh.
James was born on July 20, 1942, in Hastings, Nebraska,
weighing in at 10 lbs. His first job was working with his father at
the local bakery, moving pallets of bread around and mixing big
batches of dough. As a young adult, he worked as a night auditor
at Yellowstone National Park, where he crunched numbers by
night and dreamed of being a park ranger by day. Upon
graduating from Hastings College, he took a teaching job at a
Blackfeet Indian Reservation near Browning, Montana, where his
respect and love for Native culture and artistry began. He led a
life of appreciation for all cultures and continued to help and
support others.
His love of teaching and travel brought him to Guam, where he
taught high school math during the school year and English in
Japan during the summer. While on sabbatical in Southeast
Asia, he met his wife. They were pen pals for five years before
getting married in Kailua, Hawaii. The Lord led them to move to
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, for Jim’s next teaching
contract.
Their two children were born in Guam, where Jim taught for eight
years and earned his master’s degree. He moved back to
Nebraska in 1995 to take care of his elderly parents, working as
a Walmart associate. After his parents passed, his wife went to
Hawaii to help care for her parents, and Jim joined her in
Honolulu in 2013.
Jim was happiest when he was outdoors, often whistling with joy.
He planted at least 30 trees in his lifetime. He taught his kids
how to fish and camp, and would coordinate impromptu
stargazing outings when meteor showers came to Nebraska.
When his kids came to visit Hawaii from the mainland, the first
stop would be the sunset at Ala Moana Beach Park.
At his heart, Jim was an artist, and he spread his love through
showing kindness toward others. He was a faithful reader of
God’s Word and would exercise each evening while listening to
godly speakers. He was a connoisseur of the Sunday funnies,
sending clippings to his kids and taping them around the house.
He was an amateur Chinese painter and wrote poetry under the
pen name Jonathan Ono. Throughout his life, he loved music,
frequently taking his children to the local orchestra and watching
orchestras play symphonies on YouTube. He began violin
lessons at the age of 57 and practiced faithfully, though rather
out of tune, until he died.
Jim enjoyed each day immersed in the art, beauty, and nature
that his Father God gave him. He was happiest around his family
and leaves a legacy of love and gratitude. The family will hold a
private service at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
