NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—A memorial service celebrating the life of industry veteran Russ Okawa will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 21, at the Cornerstone Community Church, 2080 Winifred Street in Simi Valley, California. A reception will follow.
Okawa passed away on January 4 in his sleep. He had been staying with his sister in Simi Valley, recovering from open heart surgery on December 22.
In his 59 years, his contribution to the growth of bicycling in the U.S.—particularly in the arenas of BMX and mountain bike racing—was immeasurable. In addition to his years with Sachs, Mongoose, Schwinn and Giant, he also found time to support many organizations dedicated to encouraging bicycling.
His family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Okawa's memory to either of these organizations: Trips for Kids, and the National BMX Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund.
Trips for Kids
138 Sunnyside Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
http://www.tripsforkids.org/
National BMX Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund
C/O ABA Foundation
Mutual of Omaha Bank
1450 W. Guadalupe RD.
Gilbert, AZ. 85233
Acct# 051500040
http://www.ababmx.com/
