ELKHART, Ind. — Faith in the journey typified the life of Lee Hartzler Kanagy of Belleville, Pa., a dedicated mission worker and pastor, who died April 5 at the age of 96. He had been hospitalized after a fall the previous day.
Kanagy and Adella (Brunk) Kanagy, his wife of 63 years, served as Mennonite missionaries in Japan from 1951-1973 with Mennonite Board of Missions, a predecessor agency to Mennonite Mission Network. Upon returning to the United States in 1963, Kanagy pastored at a church near Washington, D.C. The couple returned to Big Valley, Belleville, in 1987 to retire, and worshiped at Allensville Mennonite Church.
Kanagy was born Dec. 19, 1915, to Amish parents. He was the seventh of 14 children. At age 21, Kanagy ventured to Iowa, where he would become a Mennonite. He attended Hesston (Kan.) College, and then Goshen (Ind.) College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and also met his future wife.
Kanagy attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Va., where he received a Master of Divinity degree. Married, with two children, and living in Fairfax, Va., an encounter with a Japanese man living in the U.S. directed Kanagy’s call to mission work.
In an article in the Lewistown Sentinel newspaper, Kanagy said the man’s story of how many of his friends and family were killed when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, drove Kanagy’s desire to bring healing to Japan.
“He (the man) told his story of how he suffered,” said Kanagy in the article.
The couple moved their family to Japan, answering God’s call as the Mennonite Church sought mission workers to share the gospel abroad.
After two years of language instruction in Tokyo, the Kanagys were assigned to Nakashibetsu, a rural town. The Kanagys started a Sunday school for children, taught English, and eventually established connections with Japan Mennonite Nakashibetsu Christian Church, Japan Mennonite Ashoro Christian Church, Japan Mennonite Furano Nozomi Christian Church, and Japan Mennonite Bekkai Christian Church. Kanagy had a heart for farmers, no doubt because of his upbringing. He once wrote:
“… The average farmer is conservative, sincere, hard-working, kind and helpful. Often he is tradition-bound in spiritual values that make witnessing difficult. It takes a loving understanding of how the farmer looks at the world to witness to him.”
The family returned to the U.S. in 1963, but continued service visits to Japan. Kanagy served more than 20 years in Japan.
“Mennonite Mission Network partners remember Lee as a Spirit-led, dedicated, and innovative worker in many roles in Japan, ranging from church board leadership to working with farmers in the fields,” said John F. Lapp, director for Asia and Middle East.
Kanagy chronicled his life’s journey in two books: A Pilgrim’s Journey, Remembering My Amish Roots, and A Pilgrim’s Journey II, Following God’s Call to Japan. They tell of his early and latter experiences of receiving God’s favor as he and his family shared the gospel.
Kanagy is survived by his wife, and children Dan Kanagy of Tokyo; Ruthy Kanagy of Eugene, Ore.; David Kanagy and wife, Miyako, of Panama; Tim Kanagy and wife, Donna, of Beckley, W.Va.; and Lois Kanagy Papetti and husband, Ron, of Fairfax, Va.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A son, John, died at age 14 months in Japan.
Kanagy’s memorial service was held at Allensville Mennonite Church on April 10.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Mennonite Mission Network, PO Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515-0370.
###
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.