Dean "Deano" Iwahashi
May 7, 1953 – March 28, 2026

Dean Iwahashi, 72, passed away on March 28, 2026, in Fresno, CA. A man of diverse passions and a generous spirit, Dean left an indelible mark on his community and the many lives he touched.

Born into the family business, Tokiwa-Ro, Dean developed an early appreciation for hard work and community connection. He went on to complete his education at Fresno State University in Mechanical Engineering, which paved the way for a successful career. He served as a Production Supervisor for Carnation and Sunmaid Raisins, was an owner/partner of The Sailing Center and served as a commercial distribution contractor for the Fresno Bee and United States Postal Service.

Dean was a true adventurer with his late wife Dorothy of 37 years who found joy in the great outdoors, taking cruises, and the thrill of competition. They also shared together the same love and passion watching NASCAR and for their dogs, Maggie, Shiloh, and Pepper. In Dean’s younger years, he focused his energy into Aikido, judo (Black Belt / Advanced Master), and wrestling, and satisfied his need for adrenaline through Super Gas and Super Stock car racing. He was also an avid sailor of all types of boats and a decorated racer, earning many awards in racing sail boats, including Thistles 2910 & 3685 and Day Sailer 11023. Dean’s sportsmanship was legendary; he was well-known for his humility and kindness, often giving his first-place trophies to his crew mates or fellow sailors, valuing the camaraderie of the race far more than the hardware.

When he was not on the water, Dean could be found fishing for salmon, cod, and crab, or enjoying a quiet weekend camping. He was a master in the kitchen, famous for his fish fries, teriyaki crab boils, and signature asparagus wraps. Dean also enjoyed the strategy of the stock market, the excitement of horse racing, and a good game of poker, cribbage, chess, or backgammon. He had a keen eye for collecting gold, silver, coins, and a lifelong love for riding motorcycles and traveling.

He is survived by his brothers, Paul and Gordon (wife Liz); stepdaughter, Mischell (husband Ken); daughter-in-law, Tammi; and step-grandchildren, Brooke, Kristin, and Tommy. He also leaves behind his nephews, Carey and Kevin (wife Tracy); nieces, Staci (husband Fabio) and Lindsay (husband Matthew). Matthew served as Dean’s go-to person and closest confidant; their relationship grew into a bond of mutual trust and understanding that was truly one of a kind. He is also survived by many great-nieces, great-nephews, and a wide circle of friends who will miss his warmth and wit.

Service Information:

A service for "Deano" will be held on Saturday at 10:00 AM at Clovis Cemetery.

Burial: Clovis Cemetery, Clovis, CA.