Las Vegas, NV - Kazuko Nakata Bray

November 5, 1927 - January 11, 2026

Kazuko Nakata Bray, known as Mom, Katy, and most proudly Obachan (Grandma), passed away on January 11, 2026, at the age of 98. She was born on November 5, 1927, in Osaka, Japan. She grew up during World War II, which likely explains her toughness, discipline, and resilience in brushing off anything, qualities she also expected of her family.

In 1959, she married Albert Arthur Bray. What followed was more than 60 years of marriage that included deep love, shared values, and frequent debate over sports, driving directions, cooking, attire...or who was right (often her). They challenged each other and stood side by side through everything. Albert passed away in January 2020, and anyone who knew them knows they are probably still debating somewhere now.

Together, they raised two children: John (Rebecca) and Michelle (Richard). Family was always at the center of Kazuko's world, even if her love sometimes came with very direct feedback. She believed in standing up straight, eating better, being a good spouse/mother/father, and telling it like it is. You could count on her to tell you the much needed truth.

Kazuko worked for decades as a seamstress at JCPenney in the Boulevard Mall and was an exceptional tailor. She could look at a picture and perfectly recreate any garment. Her talent was remarkable, and she never cut corners. She just believed in doing things well, no matter how long it took.

Cooking was how she showed love, and everyone who experienced her talents remembers it. Fried rice, gyoza, sukiyaki, okonomiyaki, chocolate chip cookies, and beautifully decorated cakes. She could whip up anything like a short-order cook, and if you didn't know what you wanted, she would decide for you. Kazuko would cook for everyone but always eat last. In every way, she always put her family first and herself last.

As Obachan, she devoted endless time to her grandchildren, Racquel, Dominic, Bella, and Liam. She helped raise them, chauffeured them everywhere with Albert, and proudly attended countless soccer, hockey, and baseball games, as well as concerts and gymnastics events. She adored them beyond words and was deeply proud of who have become.

Kazuko was also a serious sports fan. She read box scores every day, followed every NFL, NHL, and MLB game, placed her share of parlays, and had strong opinions about it all. She especially loved Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani. When the Vegas Golden Knights arrived in 2017, she quickly fell in love with hockey and, not long after, could explain exactly how a play was unfolding just moments before a VGK goal. She could also criticize players like an NHL coach.

At 98, Kazuko was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, and her siblings Yuki Masa, Natsuko, and Midori. She is survived by her youngest sister, Yaeko, many nieces, nephews, and relatives in Japan, and her immediate, loving family, who will miss her more than words can express. Her legacy lives on in her family, her traditions, her recipes, her opinions, and the unmistakable presence she leaves behind.

Kazuko was practical and hated waste. She requested no flowers and no funeral service. She would just want you to spend time with your family over a great meal in her honor.