Reverend Bruce Kiyoshi Natsuhara

Reverend Bruce Kiyoshi Natsuhara, 62, died September 9, 2014 in Oklahoma City. Father Natsuhara was born July 3, 1952 in Los Angeles, California. He was ordained on May 13, 1978 in Rome and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on October 17, 1989. Father Natsuhara attended Queen of Angels Minor Seminary, San Fernando, California; St. John's College, Camarillo, California, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, Rome. Father Natsuhara first served the people of the Archdiocese in 1984 as the Associate Pastor of St. Peter Church, Woodward and the missions of Saint Frances Cabrini in Beaver, St. Joseph in Buffalo, Sacred Heart in Mooreland and Holy Name in Shattuck. During his 30 years of service to the Archdiocese, Father Natsuhara served as Associate Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, Enid; Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Mangum and mission of Sts. Peter & Paul, Hobart; Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Okeene and mission of St. Thomas the Apostle, Seiling. In 1999, Father Natsuhara was assigned to St. Joseph Old Cathedral, Oklahoma City where he was serving at the time of his death. Father Natsuhara also served as a Consultor to the Archbishop and as a member of the Presbyteral Council and other Archdiocesan committees. Father Natsuhara is survived by his parents, Frank and Rose Fujita Natsuhara of Tucson, AZ, a sister, Barbara Natsuhara Nelson of Tucson, AZ and brothers, Joseph Natsuhara (and Pamela) of Annaheim Hill, CA and Frank Y. Natsuhara of Orange, CA and several nieces and nephews. Father Natsuhara will be remembered by his brother priests and friends for his faithful service to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and devotion to priestly ministry. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral on Thursday evening, September 11, 2014. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday the 11th at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 1401 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City.