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Obituaries: Year 2008, Last Names I-R

IIDA, NAOMI, 84, took her last breath resulting from complications due to all her compounded medical issues on May 1, 2008. After 17 years widowed from her dearly beloved soul-mate, Nobie, they may now rejoin together eternally. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Keith, and survived by Mike (Carolyn), Glenn (Karen), daughter Nona, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, sisters Martha (Kaye) Okita and May Yamada, and many other extended family and friends. Her wishes of a private service concluding her circle of life was held at the Oak Hill Chapel on May 6, 2008. All the compassion and warmth expressed to each family member fortified our weaknesses helping to deal with life’s tragic loss and thoughtfully supported us to continue through our bereavement. The entire Iida families wish to express our most sincere gratitude for the abundance of benevolent adoration and unexpected kindness’. The generous outpour of compassion was welcomed and sincerely thank everyone. Naomi Iida

Posted May 15, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 15-21, 2008.

INOUYE, LILLIAN YURIKO,82, a resident of El Cerrito passed away peacefully on May 29, 2008. She was born on March 29, 1926 and was a native of Stockton, Calif. Lillian retired from the West Contra Costa Unified School District, enjoyed raising orchids and spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of almost 57 years Yosh Inouye, daughter Barbara (Gary) Kitagawa of El Cerrito, son Grant (Evelyn) Inouye of San Jose, grandchildren Kyle and Akemi Kitagawa, Katelyn Inouye and Sherri Revives, sister Janice (Yukio) Hibino of Gardena, sisters-in-law Mary Uyeda, Florence Shima, Tokie Takemura and Fusae Tanaka of Stockton, Kazuko Yamauchi Ross of Spokane and Aiko Inouye of Los Angeles, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by siblings George, Harry and Daisy Uyeda. At her request, services will be private. Lillian Inouye

Posted June 5, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 5-11, 2008.

KAMI, SEIICHI “SEI”, 84, a former resident of Berkeley, CA, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2007 in Sheridan, Wyoming. Seiichi (“Sei”) was born in Berkeley, CA to Junichi and Kimi (Muraoka) Kami. He graduated from Berkeley High School in 1941 with the desire to become an architect. However, his plans were placed on hold with the outbreak of WWII. Like thousands of other West Coast Japanese-Americans, in 1942, Sei and his family, by orders of the Government, were sent to internment camps. Sei took leave from Topaz, the internment camp in Utah, to work on farms near Delta, Utah. He then enrolled at Brigham Young University. Sei was in a group of the first students returning to the West Coast. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated with a degree in architecture. Upon earning his state certification, he opened his own firm in Berkeley and designed schools, custom homes and churches. Two that are notable are the Stockton Buddhist Church and the Southern Alameda Buddhist Church. Sei married Doris Arita in 1950 and they established their home in the El Cerrito hills. Doris preceded him in death after 23 years of marriage. In 2002, Sei moved with his son, Mark and his daughter-in-law, to Northern Arizona and then relocated in 2006 to Wyoming. Sei is survived by his son Mark (Janet) Kami of Sheridan, WY, daughter Beverly (Greg) Henry of San Pablo, four grandchildren. Siblings are Masako Kami, Dr. Frank (Miyo) Kami, Yaeko Yedlosky of Berkeley, Dr. Saburo (Joyce) Kami of Tiburon and Yachiyo (Takao) Kow of Los Angeles. The family has held a private service.Seiichi Kami

Posted January 17, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly January 17-23, 2008.

KANEMOTO, MASARU “TOM,” 90, passed away on April 12, 2008 after a heroic fight with lung cancer. He was born on November 5, 1917 in Berryessa, San Jose, California. Tom’s most beloved wife, Toy, preceded him in 2006. Tom is survived by his son Larry Kanemoto of Elk Grove, CA, daughter Cathi (Christopher) Gates of Kona, HI, son Michael (Diane) Kanemoto of Sacramento, CA, and grandchildren Lisa, Nicole, Tom (Tiffanie), John, Noel Devin and Alissa, and great-grandchildren Desiree and Adam. Son of departed parents, Otozo Murashiger and Kikuyo Kanemoto, he will be deeply missed by his sisters, Miye Nosaka, Yoshiko Ikegami, brother-in-law Daniel Kawahara, brother-in-law Shigenobu (Beatrice) Kato, sister-in-law Yukiko (Yoshio) Ebisu, and many nieces, nephews, and their families. Tom was the son of a sharecropper and raised in the Berryessa area of San Jose. When War World II broke out, his family was one of many relocated to internment camps. It was at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming that he met and fell in love with Toy. She was to the end the “greatest thing that ever happened to him and was the LOVE of his life.” They married and were fortunate to have 62 wonderful years together until her passing. He carried his love for her until his last moment. After the war, Tom and Toy relocated to several places ultimately settling in Sacramento. Tom was a gardener and worked into his 80’s. Tom was honored to be a member of the Bocho Doshi Kai, the Sacramento Gardeners Association, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the Japanese American National Museum. He was a hard worker who loved any kind of sport in his leisure time, from shooting hoops with his sons to watching events on TV and discovering golf. Gambling became an activity he enjoyed and Thunder Valley was the spot he loved best. Family was always first and foremost in his life though. His great love, loyalty, and support of family are what will be remembered and held dear by all. A private Memorial Service was held and the family requests that remembrances be forwarded to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.Masaru Kanemoto

Posted May 1, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 1-8, 2008.

KANEMOTO, WAYNE M.,who became the first Japanese-American attorney and judge in Santa Clara County, died on Saturday May 24 in San Jose at the age of 90. The cause was chronic congestive heart failure. Born in San Jose in 1918 and a lifelong resident, Wayne Masao Kanemoto attended San Jose State College, and entered the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1939 with a desire to serve the interests of a largely unrepresented Japanese community. He was graduated in absentia in May 1942 when, like all other Japanese in California, his family was detained by the federal government prior to removal from the west coast, solely for reasons of ethnicity and without the right of habeas corpus. The family was sent to Santa Anita Assembly Center, a converted horse-racing track in southern California where, with the help of sympathetic associates, he was allowed to attend the state bar examination in Los Angeles under military escort. Later, after being moved with his family to an internment camp in Gila River, Arizona, he was allowed under a rare exception to be sworn into the California state bar while under federal detention in Arizona. Despite the internment of his family and community, he then volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all-Nisei combat regiment. He was subsequently transferred to the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota, then to the U.S. 10th Army Air Force in India and Burma, where he served as a Japanese-language signal intelligence specialist for the remainder of World War II. After returning from the war in 1946, he met and married his wife of 60 years, Betty, and began private law practice in San Jose as the only Japanese-American attorney in Santa Clara County, representing many local Japanese-Americans and becoming active in community affairs. With the repeal of laws forbidding immigrant Japanese from becoming naturalized citizens in 1953, Kanemoto assisted in the creation of naturalization classes and mass swearing-in ceremonies for first-generation immigrant Issei in San Jose, who finally became citizens after a lifetime spent in the U.S. Other community activities included the City of San Jose Human Relations Commission, the City of San Jose Sister City Program with Okayama, Japan, and the planning, promotion and construction of the Japanese Friendship Garden in Kelley Park, San Jose, in cooperation with the City of Okayama, among many other involvements. Over the years he was the recipient of numerous honors from both community and peers. Always active in local politics, Wayne was appointed in 1962 to the San Jose Municipal Court, becoming the first Nisei jurist in northern California. He served as Presiding Judge, President of the Conference of Santa Clara County Municipal Court Judges, and President of the Santa Clara County Law Library Board. He retired from the bench in 1982. Following his retirement he continued to be active in the community, and was a member of the City of San Jose Commission on Internment of Local Japanese Americans, which documented the history of the local Japanese-American internment experience and commissioned a memorial monument to the internment by the noted sculptor Ruth Asawa, located at the San Jose Federal Building. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and children William, Mary, Alan and Margery. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that donations be made to Yu Ai Kai, San Jose, or the San Jose JACL Building Fund. At Wayne’s request, no funeral services will be held. Wayne Kanemoto

Posted June 5, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 5-11, 2008.

KASAI, FUMI, 91, passed away on May 27, 2008 in San Leandro at the home of one of her children. Her family had gathered from as far away as England and was all present at her passing. In addition to her five daughters, she leaves behind one sister, two grandsons, a granddaughter and three great grandchildren. She was beloved not only by her offspring but also three sons-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law. In accordance with her wishes, an informal gathering celebrating Fumi’s life was held on June 1, at Sycamore Church in El Cerrito, where she had been an active member for more than 40 years. If you wish to make a donation in Fumi’s memory, please consider one of her favorite charities: Sycamore Congregational Church, 1111 Navellier St,. El Cerrito, CA 94530; Japanese American Services of the East Bay, 2126 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704; or Special Olympics East Bay Region, 3480 Buskirk Ave., #340, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4343. The family can be reached c/o Sandy White, 274 Lynn Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035. Fumi Kasai

Posted June 5, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 5-11, 2008.

KAWAGUCHI, IDA CHIYOKO SAKOHIRA, passed away peacefully at her home on June 23, 2008 with her family by her side. She was born March 12, 1925 in Fowler, Calif. and was the youngest of six children (Elizabeth, Harry, Frank, Ruth, Todd). Ida was very committed to nursing and worked as a registered nurse at several hospitals and medical services including the Veteran’s Hospital in Santa Monica and Oakland, St. Francis Hospital (SF), and the University of California Hospital (UCSF). Ida and Masaru Kawaguchi were married in 1954 and started their family in San Francisco. She was devoted to her family, church, and hobbies (traveling, music, jewelry making, sewing, raising orchids and pottery). Ida is survived by her husband Masaru, children and family, sons Todd (Kate) Kawaguchi, Jeff (Pam) Kawaguchi, daughter Mari Kawaguchi, brother Frank Sakohira, sister-in-law Michi Sakohira, grandchildren Tyler and Bryce Kawaguchi, many nieces and nephews and other in-laws All relatives and friends are invited to a “Musical Celebration of Ida’s Life” at Pine United Methodist Church located at 426 33rd Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121 on Saturday, July 19 at 1 p.m. The family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Pine United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice. Ida Kawaguchi

Posted July 3, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 3-9, 2008.

KAWASAKI, MATSUKO HAYASHIDA, 93, passed away peacefully in Walnut Creek, Calif. on May 7, 2008. He was born on Sept. 24, 1914. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Sumio, and daughter, Linda Ellenberger. She is survived by daughter, Chiyeko Watanabe of Williamsburg, Va., and sons John Kawasaki of Milpitas, Calif. and Alan Kawasaki of Orinda, Calif.. She had nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. A native of Berkeley, Calif. and the oldest of 12 children born to Suezo and Kikuyo Hayashida, she is survived by Mikiko Murata of Chicago, Ill., Mary Miyake of Sacramento, Calif., Shizuko Hara of Stockton, Calif., Dr. Michihiko Hayashida of Honolulu, HI, May Iyeki of Roseville, Calif., Juro Hayashida of Hayward, Calif., Fusaye Iyeki of Vacaville, Calif. and Haruo Hayashida of Pittsburg, Calif.. Matsuko Kawasaki was a devoted wife and mother, and served as a role model for all those fortunate to have known her. She will be missed very much. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 1p.m. at the Berkeley Methodist United Church, 1710 Carleton Street, Berkeley, Calif.Matsuko Kawasaki

Posted May 15, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 15-21, 2008.

KIMURA, CARL KAZUO, 91, passed away on April 12, 2008 at Sutter General Hospital. He was born in Perkins Calif. Carl is survived by his wife Molly Miyako Kimura, daughter Sylvia Kimura, son Clifford Kimura, sisters Amy Kimura, Terry (Ben) Kunibe and Machiko Kimura, friend Kiyoshi Sanui, and many friends and relatives. He was a member of the Sacramento JACL, the Sacramento Matsuyama Sister City Association, the Sacramento Minami Tanoshimi-Kai, Ikebana International Sacramento, the Sacramento Ikenobo Tachibana-Kai, the Sacramento Senator Lions Club, the Sacramento Hiroshima Nikkeijin-Kai, the Sacramento Wakayama Kenjin-Kai, the Sacramento Betsuin Women’s Association, and the Buddhist Church of Sacramento Betsuin. A memorial service will be held for him on Wednesday, Apr. 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento Betsuin, 2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95818.Carl Kimura

Posted April 17, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 17-24, 2008.

KOIDE, MARIKO, 76, passed away on January 19 in El Cerrito after a nearly year-long battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy Koide, four children (Wayne, Roger, Karen, Teri) and five grandchildren (Donald, Timothy and Emma Koide, and Hana and Maia Culbreath). Mariko was born on December 13, 1931 to Kumakichi Sekiguchi and Tadako Takeuchi Sekiguchi in Huntington Beach, California. She graduated from Lindsay High School (1950), and from UC, Berkeley (BS Mathematics, 1954, Phi Beta Kappa). She married Jimmy Hiroshi Koide in 1954. Mariko worked for many years as a computer programmer and systems analyst for the State of California and the University of California. Following retirement, Mariko volunteered for HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). Mariko loved reading, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and found great happiness in the success of her children. Donations in her memory can be made to HICAP (https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=13765), or to the Alta Bates Hospital Summit Foundation (http://www.absfdn.com/). Memorial service on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church, 278 Grand Ave., Oakland. Mariko Koide

Posted January 24, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly January 24-30, 2008.

KOMARU, HARUSO H, 83, a resident of Torrance, Calif., passed away on Sunday March 30, 2008. Born in San Mateo, Calif., Haruso was the seventh born to the family. He was an alumni of USC and a fan of the Trojans. He retired in 1990 from BT Infonet. He is survived by son, John Komaru of San Diego/Oakland, daughters Karrie and Leslie Komaru of Torrance, brother Charles Komaru of Denver, Colo., and sister Mary Soong of Virginia. A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Japanese Cemetery in Colma on Saturday, May 24 at 3:30 p.m. where a short service will take place.Haruso Komaru

Posted May 15, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 15-21, 2008.

MATSUMOTO, HELEN HORIO, 81, born March, 24 1926 in San Jose, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Stanford University Medical Center. Loving wife of Tom Matsumoto, mother of Karen (Glenn) Iida, Paul Matsumoto and Wanda (Don) Nishiguchi, and grandmother of Valerie Iida and Denise Iida. Also survived by siblings Sumito Horio, Ralph Horio, Marion Horio and Thomas Horio. Preceded in death by siblings Kiyoko Horio, John Horio, Frank Horio and Raymond Horio. Donations in her name may be made to the Stanford Stroke Center, 701 Welch Rd., Blg. B, Ste. 325, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Services were held at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple.Helen Matsumoto

Posted March 20, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 20-26, 2008.

MAEDA, SEIKICHI (CURLY), 81, passed away on July 4, 2008 at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. He was born in Hawai‘i and was a resident of San Francisco. Seikichi is survived by wife Yoko Maeda, son Jason (Nozomi Matsumoto) Maeda, daughter Carolyn Miki (Paul David) Yaran, grandchild Rhys Koji Yaran, brothers, and relatives. A funeral service will be held for him on Sunday, July 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English, 1123 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109. Seikichi Maeda

Posted July 10, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 10-16, 2008.

MORISAWA, MIDORI, 64, passed away on April 9, 2008 at Sutter Hospital. She was born in Kitahara, in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Midori is survived by her husband Takao Morisawa, daughters Ellen Morisawa and Karen Wong, son Kevin Morisawa, younger brother Yutaka Hayashi, younger sisters Kaoru Chikamori and Sumiko Morisawa, friend Kiyomi Ikemoto, and many friends and relatives. She was a member of the Sacramento JACL, the Yamato Gekidan, the Sacramento Karaoke Club, the Tenrikyo High Sacramento Church, the Sacramento Kochi Kenjin-Kai and the Buddhist Church of Sacramento Betsuin. A funeral service will be held for her on Sunday, Apr. 20 at 5:00 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento Betsuin, 2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95818.Midori Morisawa

Posted April 17, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 17-24, 2008.

MURATA, GEORGE T., passed away peacefully in Sacramento at the age of 90 in the comfort of his family on Friday, June 27, 2008. He was born in Yuba City, Calif. on July 6, 1917. George is survived by his loving wife Kazue, daughters Janice Temple, Marsha (Randy), sons Gary (Rose) and David (Sandra), six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, brothers James and Robert, and sisters Mary Sakazaki, Dorothy Yamada and Eiko Sakazaki. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kijiro and Toju Sakanishi Murata, brother John, and sister Martha Arii. George will always be remembered as a hardworking and dedicated father. He was the self employed owner of the Garden Basket Store and served as a director of the former Guild Savings and Loan Association. In his free time, he loved to fish, spend time with his children and grandchildren, watch TV, raise vegetables and barbeque them on his Weber kettle. We miss you Bumpa! A memorial service was held on Thursday, July 3, at the Centennial United Methodist Church in Sacramento, Calif. Donations may be made in his memory to the Asian Community Nursing Home at 7801 Rush River Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831. George Murata

Posted July 3, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 3-9, 2008.

NAGASE, PANSY CHIYEKO, 97, passed away on March 27, 2008 in Oakland, California. She was born on March 11, 1911. Pansy is survived by her son Tats H. (Arly) Nagase and Magnus Y. (Mary N.) Nagase, daughter Bernice Y. (Henry H.) Chen, daughter-in-law Peggy T. Nagase (wife of son Edward Nagase now deceased), and grandchildren Joey, Julie, Tamiko and Holly Nagase, Gary G. and Michael J. Chen, and Tara E. and Lia K. Nagase. A memorial service will be held for her on Saturday, Apr. 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Ashley & McMullen, 4200 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118.Pansy Nagase

Posted April 3, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly April 3-9, 2008.

NAKAMURA, KAORU, 84, passed away at her Santa Rosa home on Friday, February 1, 2008. Dearly beloved wife of the late Richard Tatsuo Nakamura, beloved mother of Midori Miranda of Santa Rosa and Jane Nakamura-Dimoff and her husband Rex of San Bruno, adored grandmother of Kyle Dimoff, dear sister of Yayoi Baker of Walton Beach FL. A native of Japan, Kaoru married Richard in Japan in 1956 and immigrated to America where they became long time residents of San Mateo and San Bruno. She will be remembered as an elegant lady full of grace. Friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 12 p,m. at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa. Arrangements are in the care of SANTA ROSA MORTUARY EGGEN & LANCE CHAPEL 707-545-3747. Kaoru Nakamura

Posted February 7, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly February 7-13, 2008.

NAKAMURA, SHIGEHARA, a man with a wonderful smile, peacefully after a courageous battle, passed away on June 4, 2008 at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, after living a full life of 83 years. He was born in Newark, Calif. and was educated in Japan. He returned to the United States in 1940 and began working on a farm in Centerville district of what is now part of what is called the City of Fremont. During World War II, he and his family were interned in Topaz, Utah and Tule Lake, Calif. Upon his release he joined the Army and proudly served in the Army of Occupation in Germany. In 1960 he established Naka Nursery and in 1976 established Mission Adobe Garden Center. In 2005 the Washington Hospital Healthcare System opened a clinic in Union City and named it the Nakamura Clinic in honor of his decades of service to the surrounding communities. Devoted husband of the late Janet Chiye Nakamura of Fremont, loving father of Wendy Nakamura of San Diego and Stacy Nakamura of Mountain View, father-in-law of Gail Satake-Nakamura, brother of Sam (Mary) Nishimoto of San Mateo, Yaeko (Kay) Yasuhiro of Fremont and Mas (late Betty) Nakamura of Capitola, grandfather to Rachel and Rossten Nakamura and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services Saturday, June 14, at 3:30 p.m. at the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587. Visitation will be on Friday, June 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the chapel of Berge-Pappas-Smith Mortuary, 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538 with committal services Monday, June 16, at 3:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Liver Transplant Fund in Memory of Shigeharu Nakamura. Donations can be sent to UCSF Foundation, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339. He received his liver transplant in 1989 and was one of the first patients for the UCSF Liver Transplant Program, which began in 1988. As the Liver Transplant Program is celebrating its 20th anniversary, he was able to celebrate 19 years thanks to the liver transplant that he received. For further information, please call Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels (510) 656-1226. Shigehara Nakamura

Posted June 12, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 12-18, 2008.

NAKAMURA, SYDNEY, 94, passed away on May 18, 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. Sydney is survived by her son Victor (Yumiko) Nakamura, daughter Sandra Suzuki, and grandchildren Ken Nakamura, Takahiro Suzuki and Rukka Suzuki. A funeral service will be held for her on Friday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. at Ashley & McMullen, 4200 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118. Sydney Nakamura

Posted May 22, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 22-28, 2008.

NAKANO, TAMAYE D., 67, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2008 after a long stay in the hospital. Tamaye was born in San Francisco and graduated from Berkeley High School in 1959. Tamaye is survived by her mother, Emiko J. Nakano, brothers Seigo (Nadine) and Steve (Denice) and sister Julie (Robert) Kihara and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at the Berkeley Higashi Honganji Temple, 1524 Oregon St., Berkeley, CA 94703. Sunset View Mortuary (510) 525-5111 Tamaye Nakano

Posted July 3, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 3-9, 2008.

NEHIRA, MICHIKO, 89, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 in Castro Valley. A native of Seattle, Washington, and 38-year resident of Sacramento. Survived by her daughters, Yasuko Teshima (Harris) of San Lorenzo, Keiko Ito (Keith) of Concord, and Chico Akaba (Neil) of Folsom; sons, Satoru Nehira (Alice) of Torrence, Kenneth Nehira of Berkeley, and James Nehira (Joanne) of North Bergen, New Jersey; eleven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Yoshio Nehira, in 2005. Private memorial services, cremation, and interment have already been held, Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito.

Sunset View Mortuary
Tel. (510) 525-5111Michiko Nehira

Posted March 13, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 13-19, 2008.

NINOMIYA, DAVID K, of Richmond, CA passed away March 8, 2008 at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco after valiantly fighting leukemia for almost five years. David was born in Albany, CA., attended Richmond schools, and graduated from Ohio State University majoring in horticulture. He joined the family rose growing business and devoted his professional career to cultivating, testing and marketing the flower. He was among the East Bay leaders in the rose growing industry that flourished during the last half of the 20th century. During his lifetime, David was active in organizations associated with the horticulture industry including terms as president of California State Florist Association, California Floral Council, Roses Incorporated, California Chrysanthemum Association and California Flower Market. He also served on the California Farm Bureau Horticulture Board and board of Society of American Florists Growers’ Council. Additionally, David was generous with community service. He served tenures as president of the Golden Gate Optimist Club, Richmond Rotary Club being named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and as board member of Richmond YMCA, Joseph H. Hill Memorial Foundation and the Richmond Museum Endowment Fund. David was a member of Contra Costa Japanese American Citizens’ League, Ohio State University Alumni Club and the Berkeley Methodist United Church. David is survived by his wife Janet Horio Ninomiya, sisters Alice, Martha, Flora Ninomiya and Ann (Ben) Koda, mother-in-law Michiko Horio, brother-in-law James Horio, and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Berkeley Methodist United Church, 1710 Carleton, Berkeley, CA 94703 on Saturday, Mar. 29 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Golden Gate Optimist Youth Fund, c/o California Flower Market, 640 Brannan, San Francisco, CA 94107; Kimochi Inc., 1715 Buchanan St., San Francisco, CA 94115; or Berkeley Methodist United Church Trustees, 1710 Carleton, Berkeley, CA 94703.David Ninomiya

Posted March 20, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 20-26, 2008.

MINISTER EMERITUS SHIRO NISHII, 77, passed away on February 17, 2008 at St. Agness Hospital in Fresno, California. He was born on January 1, 1931 in Kumamoto, Japan. Shiro is survived by his wife Janet Nishii, and sons Arthur Nishii and Bellamy Nishii. He was a member of the Buddhist Churches of America, the Buddhist Churches of America Central District, the Buddhist Churches of America Ichiju-Kai, the Chuka Kumamoto Shinwakai and the Akatsuki Bonsai Club. A funeral service sponsored by the Buddhist Churches of America, was held for him on Friday, Mar. 7 at the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple.Shiro Nishii

Posted March 13, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 13-19, 2008.

OGAWA, RICHARD “DICK,” of Hayward, Calif. passed away on June 7, 2008 at the age of 80. He is survived by his daughter, Marlene Ogawa and her husband Paul Sisneros, son Rusty Ogawa and his wife Relena, grandchildren Nicole and Nathan Ogawa, and Allyn Boice, great granddaughter Giana Boice. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at Bridges Community Church, 505 Driscoll Rd, Fremont, CA 94539. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the the Amer. Heart Assoc. or the Amer. Diabetes Assoc. Richard Ogawa

Posted June 12, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly June 12-18, 2008.

OHTAKI, PAUL T., businessman and journalist, passed away on April 27, 2008. He was 83 years old. He grew up near Seattle on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and at age 17 was relocated along with his family and other Japanese-Americans to the Manzanar internment camp in east-central California during World War II. The local newspaper publisher, Walt Woodward, asked him to write a weekly column about the daily lives of Bainbridge Island Japanese Americans in the camp. In his editorials in the Bainbridge Review, Woodward argued for the civil rights of these Japanese Americans, reinforced by the non-threatening, routine dispatches written by Ohtaki. Woodward wrote to Ohtaki, “You’ll be welcomed back by the vast majority of us, but those who don’t or won’t understand…may actually try to stir up trouble. But they’ll have a hell of a hard time of it if, in the meantime you’ve been creating the impression every week and every year that the Japanese are down there for just a short while…” As the Bainbridge Review noted in a 2004 article, this relationship between Woodward and Ohtaki became “A friendship that made island history.” As a tribute to Woodward, Ohtaki compiled the stories and letters in an anthology titled, It Was the Right Thing to Do! in 2001. Ohtaki enlisted in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and served in the Pacific Theater during the later part of World War II. He graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he met his wife, Katherine (“Kitty”). They moved to San Francisco where Ohtaki started a successful printing business, Diversified Business Forms. Paul and Kitty were married in 1960. Ohtaki was active in the Optimist Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, JACL, and various Bainbridge Island historical efforts. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at the Ashley & McMullen Mortuary, 4200 Geary Boulevard, in San Francisco. Ohtaki is survived by his wife, Kitty, his brother-in-law, Mas Ishikawa, his sister-in-law, Rose Ohtaki, and their families. In lieu of flowers or koden, donations in his memory may be made to the Bainbridge Island Nikkei Memorial, PO Box 10355, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.Paul Ohtaki

Posted May 8, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 8-14, 2008.

OKA, CHIZUKO, passed away on Saturday July 5, 2008. She was born on October 7, 1918 in San Francisco, Calif. At the age of three years old Chizuko and her twin sister Tazuko went to live with their grandmother in Japan. At 21 years or age she married Howard Toshio in Japan and in 1939 she returned back to San Francisco together with her husband. Chizuko is survived by her brother Shigeru Hayashi, sisters Tazuko Fukumoto, Kuwako Shiraga and Kikuko Itano all of whom reside in Japan, her dedicated and devoted loving son Yoshi Oka, daughters Akiko (Thom) Arikawa, Jayne (Nolan) Hoey, grandchildren Dwayne Arikawa, Kim Arikawa and Keith (Julie Tamashiro) Hoey, nieces Setsuko Daijo (children Gaylord Daijo, Paul Daijo and Leslie Daijo) and Hideko Tsuchiya (Tom Geltz), and second cousins Yoshi Manalo (daughter Michaela Manalo), Linda (Eric) Quema (children Derrick Quema and Michelle Quema) and Sharon Moxley (daughter Reiko Moxley). She was preceded in death by her youngest brother Shogo Yamamoto and niece Hiroko Manalo. She was a member of the Ohara School of Ikebana and the Buddhist Church of San Francisco Fujinkai. A funeral service will be held for her on Saturday July 12, at 3 p.m. at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine St., San Francisco, CA 94109. Chizuko Oka

Posted July 10, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly July 10-16, 2008.

OKAMURA, TOMIYE, 87, resident of Reedley, California, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2008. She was born in Oxnard California, on December 18, 1920. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and still found time for her creative talents. Tomiye enjoyed Japanese doll making, flower arranging and painting. She shared her doll making skills with her many friends. Tomiye was also very active in the Buddhist Women’s Association. She was always cheerful, positive, and generous. Tomiye is survived by her son, Dennis and wife Mary, daughter Karen Miyako and husband Ken, her brother Yeiki Tashiro and sisters Mary Okamura and Sumiye Tsuji, and four grandchildren Ross Okamura and wife Linda Sun, Lori Okamura and husband Craig Nishimura and Lauren Miyako and Scott Miyako. She was preceded in death by her husband Masao of 64 years. A Funeral Service will be held in honor of Tomiye Okamura on Friday, Jan. 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Reedley Buddhist Church, 2035 15th St., CA 93654.Tomiye Okamura

Posted January 24, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly January 24-30, 2008.

OKAMOTO, GEORGE KAZUO, 96, loving husband and father passed away quietly at home in Sacramento, California on Christmas morning December 25, 2007. He was born on August 10, 1911 in Berkeley, CA. George was preceded in death by wife Sara and sister Ayako. Survived by his children Helen, Cathy (Ray) Abeyta, Dave and Bob (Debbie); his brothers Tsuguo, Mitsuo and Hitoshi; grandchildren Ann (Bryan) Todhunter, Steven (Swetta) Abeyta, Kari, and Lori; and great grandchildren Hailey, Kyle and Devon. He was former Aichi Kenjinkai president. A memorial service was held on Jan. 5 at the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church on 6929 Franklin Blvd.Kazuo Okamoto

Posted January 10, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly January 10-16, 2008.

OKUNO, JOE, 85, passed away on May 3, 2008. Joe is survived by his wife Nuiko Okuno, son Bruce Okuno, daughter Lillian (Peter) Terada, grandchildren Eric and Emily, sister Fujiko (Jack) Shinkawa, brother Frank (Betty) Okuno, and Albert (Kazuko) Okuno. Joe was preceded in death by brothers Sataro, Masaichi, and Kinichi Okuno, and sisters Miharu Masuda and Mitsuko Seiki. He was a member of the Mountain View Buddhist Temple, the Chrysanthemum Grower’s Association, and the Tri-City Association. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 9th at 2p.m. at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple, 575 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94022.Joe Okuno

Posted May 8, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly May 8-14, 2008.

OSHIMA, KATSUKO SUSIE, 89, passed away on March 13, 2008. She was born on January 8, 1919 in San Mateo, CA to Katsuji and Kuniye Endo. Katsuko is survived by her husband Hiroyuki, sister-in-law Mariko Endo, nephews Masao (Yoko) Endo, Mark Endo and Steve Endo. A memorial service will be held for her on Wednesday, Mar. 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the San Mateo Buddhist Temple, 2 S. Claremont St., San Mateo, CA.Katsuko Oshima

Posted March 20, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly March 20-26, 2008.

RYUGO, GRACE SACHIYE, 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 28, 2007. She met her husband, Kikuji Ryugo, in Cleveland, Ohio, and they married in 1944. Grace and Kiki have called Sacramento home for over 60 years. Grace worked for Weinstock’s and Macy’s as a seamstress and was actively involved with Parkview Presbyterian Church’s Women’s Guild. Grace loved sewing, Japanese dollmaking, and traveling with Kiki. Grace is survived by her husband, Kikuji; her four children, Sandy Ida, Rod, Tim (Joan), and Sylvia Campbell (Kevin); her five granddaughters, Meredith Ida (Ian Lewis), Jennifer Ida, Jessica and Sara Ryugo, and Grace Kikue Campbell; and her sister, Ruth Okuda. The family thanks all the staff at Gramercy Court for the loving care that Grace received there. A memorial service was held on Jan. 6 at Parkview Presbyterian Church, 727 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Interment at East Lawn Cemetery is private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Grace Ryugo’s name to Parkview Presbyterian Church, 727 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Arranged by GEORGE L. KLUMPP CHAPEL OF FLOWERS, 443-7917.Grace Sachiye

Posted January 10, 2008. Published in the Nichi Bei Times Weekly January 10-16, 2008.

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