Koychi "Kay" Suyeda: The Immigrant Who Became an Icon
- Michael Dykhorst
- 48 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Koychi or Koichi “Kay” Suyeda remains one of Sheridan, Wyoming’s most unforgettable figures. His story spans continents, wars, and nearly a century of change. Known for his sharp dress, unwavering demeanor, and eccentric habit of braving Wyoming’s harsh winters without a coat, Kay was both a man of mystery and a beloved local character whose life continues to intrigue and inspire.
FROM JAPAN TO AMERICA
While it is unknown where he was born it is known that Kay was born on April 2, 1889, in Japan. Many documents and even his stories suggest he was born in Hiroshima, Japan.
In 1905 at just 16 years old, he left his homeland aboard the steamer Korea, departing Yokohama on April 4 and arriving in Honolulu on April 13.
Later that year, he boarded the S.S. Manchuria, continuing his journey to San Francisco, where he arrived on December 5, 1905.
For the next few years, Kay’s movements are undocumented, but by 1910, he was living in Arvada, Wyoming, working as a laborer for the railroad. It was in this remote part of the country that Kay began to lay the foundation for a new life, eventually finding his way to Sheridan.
Kay’s name first appeared in Sheridan’s records in the 1915 City Directory, where he was listed as a porter for the Derby Buffet. By 1916, he had moved to 123 N. Scott Street and continued working as a porter.
On June 5, 1917, Kay registered for the World War I draft, describing his occupation as a porter for the Derby Saloon, located at 1 S. Main Street. Although he wasn’t sent to the front lines, his dedication to his community and country was further evidenced in December 1918, when he contributed $3 to a local war campaign, as reported in the Sheridan Enterprise.
After World War I, Kay continued his quiet life in Sheridan. He is absent from most records during the 1920s and 1930s but resurfaces in the 1940 Census as a lodger at 242 N. Main Street—the same address he had in 1935. By then, he was working as a clerk in a cigar store, holding steady employment while living a modest life.
One of the challenges of researching local history is that stories are often repeated from one publication to the next without returning to the original records. Over time, these accounts can become accepted as fact simply because they have been published repeatedly. Kay Suyeda's story is a good example of this. Several articles written in the years following his death—and again more recently—have relied heavily on information from earlier publications rather than undertaking new archival research.
I want to be clear that the authors of those articles are talented writers and individuals for whom I have great respect. This is not intended as a criticism of their work. Rather, it is an example of how historical narratives can evolve when researchers revisit original documents and previously overlooked sources.
One detail that has been repeated for decades is that Kay was incarcerated at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center during World War II. Yet when the surviving records are examined, that claim becomes far less certain. Heart Mountain's own records contain no entry for Kay Suyeda, and the National Archives' World War II Japanese Americans Incarceration Database likewise contains no record placing him at any of the nation's incarceration camps. In fact, a search of the database reveals only five individuals with the surname Suyeda—or close spelling variations—and all originated from California. Kay is conspicuously absent.
This raises an intriguing question: if Kay was not at Heart Mountain, where was he during those years? He reportedly told people later in life that he had been sent there, yet no documentary evidence has surfaced to support that claim. Whether the story became confused over time, whether Kay intentionally concealed what happened, or whether another explanation exists remains unknown. What is clear is that his wartime experience deserves to be examined through the surviving records rather than repeated assumptions.
World War II and the Japanese-American Experience
The onset of World War II brought a wave of suspicion and hardship for Japanese Americans. Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Executive Order 9066 authorized the forced relocation and internment of over 112,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom lived on the West Coast.
Although Kay reportedly told several people that he had been interned at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center near Cody, Wyoming, extensive research suggests otherwise. Heart Mountain's archival records, which document every person incarcerated there, contain no record of Kay Suyeda. Further research on Kay through the National Archives' World War II Japanese Americans Incarceration Database does not list him as having been confined at any of the ten War Relocation Authority camps.
Something interesting that i did not know and most people unless researching these events may not know is that, any person who was Japanese or of Japanese descent living in Wyoming was not sent to a Relocation Center, this is due to them being so far inland and not a threat to the Pacific States.
So it seems Kay avoided the forced relocation that devastated so many others. It bring up the question, If Kay was not a resident and had not been there at Heart Mountain during the period of August 11, 1942, when the camp opened, until its closure on November 10, 1945, WHERE WAS HE?
Unfortuneatly that will most likeley never be answered.
Speculation persists that he may have remained hidden in Sheridan, potentially with the help of Pearl Logan, the proprietor of the Rex Hotel, whom he listed as his next of kin on his World War II draft registration. He enlisted for the World War II draft on August 14, 1942, listing his residence as the Rex Hotel. This period of his life remains shrouded in mystery.
The Man Without a Coat
In the late 1940s, Kay emerged as a fixture of Sheridan’s Main Street, becoming instantly recognizable for his unique appearance. Always impeccably dressed, he wore slacks, a crisp white shirt buttoned to the collar, a bow tie, and an oversized cloth cap.
What truly set him apart, however, was his decision never to wear a coat, even during Wyoming’s brutal winters.
It is local lore in Sheridan that this habit began with a $500 bet that he couldn’t survive a (some say) a day, a week or a whole Wyoming winter without a coat. Not only did he win the bet, but he continued the practice for the rest of his life, turning it into a personal trademark. His quiet determination and eccentric charm made him a local legend, endearing him to generations of Sheridan residents.
A Frugal and Generous Soul
Despite his simple lifestyle, Kay demonstrated a quiet generosity and resourcefulness. Distrustful of banks, he carried his savings on him. Mary Kumor told of when Kay had a heart attack. He famously unrolling $4,000 in cash from the cuffs of his long underwear he wore in the winter and summer, he entrusted it to Kumor. He lived frugally but was known for his compassion, regularly buying cases of cat food to feed the stray cats in the neighborhood.
Above Left to Right:
Mary Kumor before 1965.
Edward A Kumor and Mary Nickles Banas on their wedding day 1926. (Both Edward and Mary were Widowed)
Mary Kumor with her granddaughter somtime between 1989 and 1994
Photos courtesy of Edward and Mary’s granddaughter Carla Ash.
In 1958, Kay moved into the Edwards Hotel, where Mary Kumor took care of him. She would read his mail for him, look in on him, and bring him food on the holidays. She bought him a new cap shortly before his death, which he was buried wearing.
Kay loved to play poker and he loved baseball, you could see him often walking to Thorne-Rider park in the summers to watch a ball game. He lived on fast food, specifically Arctic Circle. He was a packrat and his room at the Edwards was filled with packages and there were many books, all in Japanese.
Life at Eventide
Several people have remembered Kay on the Facebook page Memories of Sheridan, WY, Our "Hometown". One of the memories and a photo were by Stan Woinoski, who was a long time Sheridan resident, Stan recalled Kay’s later years when both Kay and Stan’s grandfather, Joseph Woinoski, lived at Eventide, a local care facility. “Kay was a familiar figure on Sheridan’s Main street for many years prior to 1984. He was a slight, very upright figure, always dressed in a white shirt done up at the collar. He often wore a bow tie and always wore a cloth cap which seemed too big for his head—a cap he continued to wear while a resident of Eventide. On occasion, I would try to converse with Kay when visiting my grandfather. Kay was reluctant to communicate much beyond nodding his head when first spoken to. During one visit, I did capture a photo of him. My grandfather always said you never wanted to gamble with Kay unless you wanted to lose and you never wanted to fight with Kay as he always carried a knife.”
There are more memories shared, often many are just remembering seeing him walking with no coat or debates on the bet he made. For this the true story may never be fully known, but the legend of Kay has endured.
Legacy of an Icon
Koychi “Kay” Suyeda passed away in 1985 at the age of 96. He was laid to rest in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, leaving behind countless vivid memories in the hearts of those who knew him.
Kay’s life is a testament to resilience, individuality, and the power of community. From his early days to his final years in Sheridan, he lived life on his own terms, weathering personal and historical challenges with quiet dignity. Today, Kay is remembered as a symbol of strength, eccentricity, and the enduring spirit of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Numerous articles have been written about the life of Kay Suyeda, each one preserving a piece of his story. This is yet another effort to honor his memory and ensure his legacy endures in our small town.
While Kay had no personal connections to prostitution in Sheridan, for several years he resided within the Rex Hotel as the Porter. He is included with these set of articles due to his proximity to the subject.
Mary Kumor said, “He was quiet and kind, he didnt socialize, he thought he was beneath everyone”
Thank you to all who helped me with the research on this one, especially Carla Ash, granddaughter of the Kumors, you provided much insight for me.