NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

Kay Cooper, 77, of San Ramon, died peacefully on Sept. 27. Daughter of Nobukichi Takakuwa and Yuki Mabel (Nakahara) Takakuwa. Survived by her sons Scott and Jeff Cooper, granddaughter Cassidy Cooper, and siblings Yoshio Takakuwa, May Kimura, Tomi Gyotoku, Michi Lai. Memorial services will be held at the Christ United Presbyterian Church; 1700 Sutter St; San Francisco on Nov. 5, at 2 p.m.

Yurico Iwanaga, resident of San Jose, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1. She was born Aug. 2, 1926 in Salem, Oregon. She is survived by her loving family-husband George, daughter Ellen Davenport (Marty) and son Curtis Craig. Yurico is also survived by her sister Satsuki Santo, and brothers, Satoru (Jane) and Tom Takagi. Yurico was a truly talented artist, especially in ceramics and glassware. Her studies at San Jose State led to a Master of Arts degree and a position as a teacher assistant. She will be fondly remembered by those who enjoy her beautiful creations.

In loving memory of Robert (Bob) Yabu, who passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, at his home in Northridge, Calif. Bob was born in Clarksburg on Jan. 27, 1934 to Tamio and Hatsuko Yabu. He graduated from Courtland Joint Union High School and Sacramento Junior College. Bob was a Veteran of the U.S. Army and was employed with the L.A. County Fire Dept. for 37 years. He is survived by his daughter Elissa Jones, Granddaughter Tailer Jones, Loving Companion Mildred Lee and family, siblings Helyn Sekikawa, George Yabu, Ben (Jane) Yabu, and six nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Bill Sekikawa.

Sakae Daniel Date, resident of Oakland, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members, at Highland Hospital in Oakland on Oct. 4, at the age of 97. He was born in Alameda on Jan. 11, 1914. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. degree and an M.A. degree in architecture. He was an architect for the State of California for many years. His wife, Kathleen, preceded him in death in 1998. He is survived by his sister, Yuri, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Ruth Ryuko Shimada, resident of San Lorenzo, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 4 with family and friends by her bedside. She is survived by her sons, Darrin and Ryan Shimada (Marissa), who are also sons of Masao Shimada; grandson, Nikko Shimada; brothers, Eddie (Terry) and Harry Yokoyama; and numerous sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Ruth touched many lives and will be missed by all.

Kathryn Kazuko ‘Kitty’ Uchigoshi passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 5. A native of Sacramento, born Dec. 27, 1929 to Matsunosuke and Kame Suzukida Shimada, Kitty was a graduate of Sacramento High School and attended Sacramento City College. She worked for the State of California EDD and retired in 1992 after 40 years of dedicated state service. Kitty was an avid bowler and a fan of the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs. Kitty was preceded in death by her husband Hank in 1985 and her cherished daughter Nikki in 2010. She will be deeply missed by her son-in-law Richton Yee, her three loving grandsons, Jasen (Heather), Justin and Jarret, and her precious great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Dylan, Camille and Collin.

Maye Y. Takasugi, resident of San Jose, passed away on Oct. 7 at the age of 89. An amazing wife and mother, she was often regarded as a second mother or grandmother to many more. She was a good friend to those who knew her and will be greatly missed by all of us. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ken, her three children; Michael (Sue), Joyce (Bob), and Jerry (Carol); Grandchildren; Evan, Michelle, Richard and Brenden.

Fumiye Yamanaka, born on Oct. 26, 1933 in Visalia, Calif., passed away on Oct. 8. For those friends and family visiting, it was hard to believe she was in a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer, always with a smile making sure everyone around her was happy and comfortable! Side-by-side, Fumiye and her husband, Thomas, farmed in Parlier from the late 50’s, until 1997. They believed in “work hard to play hard” and enjoyed traveling locally to the Sierra’s or with their best friends, Nob and Fusa to Alaska, New England and Canada. After retirement, Fumi and Tom kept our local casinos and restaurants in business! She was an active member in the BWA at Parlier Buddhist Church, where she is famous for her Teriyaki sauce. Every December, she opened her home to all to make several hundred pounds of Mochi. The last several years, Fumiye enjoyed being dragged around by her nieces and nephew, providing thousands of hugs and kisses! In 2010, Fumiye and Thomas celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their close friends and family. She loved reminiscing the past years and wished the party could have been longer! The family wishes to thank Hinds Hospice for their support. Fumiye is survived by her husband, Thomas Yamanaka; the Harada and Kajioka families in Visalia; and the Tokubo families in Fresno and Clovis; and many, many friends in Parlier.

Roy Sakata, 80, born on Feb. 6, 1931 in Roseville, and passed away in Granite Bay on Oct. 9. Survived by brother George Sakata, sisters Gloria Okamura, Dorothy (Robert) Sugimoto, nephews Dennis (Ann) Okamura, Drs. Robert (Marianne) Okamura, Dale (Michelle) Sugimoto, Dr. Gary Sugimoto and six grandnieces and grandnephews.

Richard Hiroshi Nakanishi peacefully went home to meet Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on Oct. 14 in Everett, Washington. He leaves behind a beloved wife of 47 years, Doris; son, Dean; daughter-in-law, Staci; and his beloved grandchildren: Elias, James, and Caitlyn. Richard was born in Jan. 25, 1938 in Hilo, Hawaii to Charles and Kiyomi Nakanishi. He grew up in Mt. View, HI and graduated from Hilo High School in 1956. After graduating from the University of Hawaii he received a direct commission into the U.S. Army as a Medical Technologist and would receive an honorable discharge in 1963 as 1st Lieutenant. He and Doris Asato were married in 1964 in Hawaii. They moved to the California Bay Area where he worked at Stanford Hospital and United Airlines in the medical laboratory field. He also opened and operated a plant tissue culture lab in San Mateo. He had longstanding relationships with the Japanese American Citizen’s League (of which he served as president); the San Mateo Fishing Club; and Sturge Presbyterian Church. He will be fondly remembered for his giant pumpkins, his fishing adventures, his ukulele, his historical writings, his warm genuine smile, and his strong faith. He is loved and will be missed by many.

Yachiyo Mary Peake, born Sept. 6, 1927 in Yokohama, Japan. Went to heaven on Oct. 15 in Sacramento. Loving sister of Michiko (Yochiaki) Kajiwara. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Floyd. A long time member of the Japanese United Methodist Church. She will be missed.

Robert Minoru Akamatsu, 93, passed away on Oct. 15, at HospiceCare following a battle with leukemia. He was born in Alameda on Sept. 14, 1918, the son of Norichika and Matsuye (Yamamoto) Akamatsu. He was a University of California Berkeley graduate. Along with other U.S. citizens of Japanese descent, he was unjustly removed from his home and interned from 1942 to 1945 in Topaz, Utah. In later years he made many visits to the University of Wisconsin and other schools to educate students on the experience. Many of his experiences and documents are recorded in the Wisconsin State Historical Society archives. Min was a Madison resident for 65 years. He was married to Toshi (Endo) Akamatsu for 65 years. He worked in the grocery business for over 35 years. He had a lifelong interest in reading and learning. He had a big heart and donated generously to charitable causes. He was well liked by anyone who met him. He is survived by his sons Don of Madison and Bob of Detroit; sister Elly Nomura of Alameda; sister-in-law Sumi Endo of Santa Barbara; a niece; nephews; other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a brother Donald Akamatsu.

Akira Brian Mizoguchi, born July 23, 1925, died on Oct. 16. Survived by his loving wife, Evelyn, daughter Ann (Stuart), sons Brian (Anne) and Michael (Amy), and grandchildren Brian, James, Sophia, and Alexander. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, dedicated caregiver Dan, and pet cat Basil.

Shizuko Nishio, born April 15, 1919 and passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, at age 92 after an extended illness. She was the daughter of Toshiko and Yoshito Oto, and was preceded in passing by her beloved husband, Mitsuru Nishio. She is survived by brothers Kiyoshi Bill Oto and Kaoru Dick Oto; sister Mitsue Koto; daughters Kiyomi Lynne Sofinowski, Dr. Midori Jane Nishio, and Yukiko Diane Go; five grandchildren and a beloved extended family of nieces and nephews and their families. Shizuko was born in Sacramento and had been residing in Concord under the loving care of Seiko’s Place.

Tsugiko “Sue” Holdaway, 90, longtime resident of San Francisco, passed away peacefully at her home on Oct. 23. She is survived by her sisters Masuko Sato, Marge Fujimoto, Kay Sato, nephew Mark Fujimoto, niece Renee (Glenn) Tanaka and grand nephews, Ryan and Michael Tanaka. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lorne Holdaway and sister, Rose Niino. Sue was an avid golfer and watercolor artist. Funeral service will be held at 3pm, Wednesday, Nov. 2, Duggan’s Funeral Service, 3434-17th St., San Francisco.