NikkeiWest--Northern California Japanese American Newspaper

Yoko Moro Kaneko, 83, resident of Carefree, AZ, passed away on July 3. Yoko was born on May 31, 1928 in Tokyo, Japan, one of seven children. She graduated from Kyoritsu University in Tokyo. Yoko came to America and studied art at the University of Utah and at New York State University in Buffalo. She became a naturalized American citizen. She married Thomas Kaneko in Kenmore, New York. Yoko and Tom lived in Trenton, Michigan where Tom, as a PhD, was employed in scientific research. They moved to Campbell, California when Tom retired. Yoko was a gifted artist. She graduated from The Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts in Detroit. Many of her paintings and drawings were displayed in exhibitions and in various art galleries around the country. Yoko moved to The Heritage in Carefree in 2005 from California. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, brother Noboru and sister Tsukiko. Yoko is survived by sisters Yuriko and Akiko, brother Susumu, all in Japan, sister Kazuko and brother-in-law Richard, in Scottsdale and nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Canada. Yoko was a very talented, happy, friendly and out-going person. She loved life and her many paintings reflected her close relationship with the beauties of nature.

Reyeko (Kikuchi) Suzuki passed away Aug. 13 in San Francisco. She was born in Seattle, Washington on March 2, 1928. Married Roy Suzuki May 1948, and became an Air Force wife. The family was stationed in the U.S. and Hawaii, and Japan. After her husband’s retirement, lived in Southern California for many years and recently moved to San Francisco to be close to her son and his family. Reyeko was predeceased by her husband, Roy T. Suzuki, brothers Kenichi Kikuchi and Mitsuo Kikuchi, sisters Miyeko Nitta, Takako Miyagishima, and Fujiko Hayashi. She is survived by her son, Rodney Suzuki, and his wife, Reverend Grace Suzuki, granddaughters Miya and Remi, all of San Francisco; and sisters Masako Okazaki, Shigeko Kikuchi, Akiko Kikuchi; brothers Kouji (Joan) Kikuchi and Kunio (Mary) Kikuchi, all of Seattle. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom (Tab) Higa, resident of San Jose, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 17 with loved ones by his side. He was born Feb. 24, 1939 in Watsonville to Shinmatsu and Chiyomo Higa. He attended Campbell High School after which he became an Auto Mechanic. Later, he served in the U.S. Army earning awards for his marksmanship. Upon his discharge, he returned to Santa Clara County where he remained a long-time resident, retiring from the San Jose Unified School District in 2003. Tab was an avid golfer, who enjoyed the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his tough-guy persona, but mostly for his unique sense of humor and caring heart. Tab will truly be missed, but our memories of him will be with us forever. He is survived by his long-time companion Pam Johnson, his mother Chiyomo, daughter Karen-Nicole Nalbandian (Aaron), siblings Alice (Bunichi), Shinichiro (Janice), Ben, Grace Tanimoto (Yasunobu), Betty Brooks (Donald), Nancy Caredio (Bruce), 14 nieces and nephews, 24 grand-nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Masaie Yamamoto was born in Parlier, Calif. on Jan. 14, 1920, to Yoshi and Shosuke Arita. She passed away on Aug. 18. In 1923 the Arita family moved to Sanger and were the owners of the Star Restaurant. Masaie worked at the restaurant as she attended Sanger schools, graduating from Sanger High School in 1938. She then attended Fresno State College. During WWII Masaie and her family were relocated to the Gila River Camp in Arizona. In 1949 she married Seichi Yamamoto, and after having a son Ed, and a daughter Donna, they settled on the family ranch in Sunnyside, where they resided throughout their lives. Masaie was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and an outstanding cook, who was very active in school, church, and community activities. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, music, and painting. She was an artist, who created quite an extensive collection of oil paintings, which her family all enjoy in their homes today. Masaie was preceded in death by her husband Seichi; her parents; and her seven siblings. Masaie is survived by her son, Ed Yamamoto and his wife Mona; daughter, Donna Thompson and her husband Scott; grandchildren, Michael Yamamoto and his wife Heather; Breanne Phillips and her husband Dallen, Tisha Jett and her husband Tanner, and Brittany Bunnell and her husband Kurt; great-grandchildren, Tyson and Reece Phillips, Cash Jett, and Brooklynn Masai Yamamoto.

Kiyoko Nakagawa, 102, of Lodi, passed away on Aug. 20 in Lodi. Kiyoko was born on Jan. 1, 1909, to Kumasuke and Miyono Yuki in Salinas. Prior to moving to Lodi in 2005 Kiyoko lived in Reedley where she and her late husband Ben farmed. Kiyoko was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in sporting activities. Kiyoko was known for sewing aprons which she loved to share with family and friends. She will be missed dearly by all that knew her. She is preceded in death by her husband Ben Tsutomu; son Steven; sisters Lois Okamoto, Dorothy Ogino, Martha Imamoto, Irene Sasabuchi, Doris Yamada, and Konami Yuki; her brothers, Seizo, Tadashi, and Sam Yuki; and nephew, John Nakagawa. She is survived by her five children, Sumi Ichuiji and her husband Paul of Salinas, Michiye Noda and her husband Masaru of Lodi, Sammy Nakagawa and his wife Grace of Reedley, Midori Iwasaki and her husband Larry of Kingsburg, and Mynnie Hachiya and her husband Dik of Thousand Oaks; nephew, Ittsei Nakagawa ad his wife Kiriye of El Cerrito; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Kiyoko is also survived by her sister, Misao Edith Hiyama; and her brother, Richard Yuki.

Jean Masako Sakai, resident of Walnut Creek, died on Aug. 21. Her parents were Iwanari and Hideko Kajikawa While attending UCLA, she earned her room and board working as a baby sitter for the family of screen writer Charles Hoffman and was able to hitch rides to the campus from neighborhood Hollywood notables that included Frank Capra. During the summer, travelling widely through the states and Canada with the Hoffman family as a domestic au pair, she gained exceptional experience. When her family moved north to Hayward to open a gardenia nursery, she transferred to UC Berkeley. While she was employed as secretary to civil rights attorney Wayne M. Collins in 1953, she married Hisaji Quintus Sakai, a radiology fellow at UCSF. She easily earned friends and in rare spare moments enjoyed painting, ceramics, bridge, crossword, entertaining and gourmet cooking. She encouraged her aging parents to join her household when they required dependent care and invited two high schoolers, Jeff Carvell and Steve Neilsen to stay with her when their parents moved away from Walnut Creek so that the boys could finish their senior year with their classmates. Her home was freely available and remains, even today a favorite meeting place of her children’s friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, Jack, Marjorie, Midge, and Sally; survivors include her husband, Hisaji, children Richard (Amber), David (Takako), Jon and Ann; grandchildren, Ben,Tim, Reilly, Katin, Stokely, Maxine, Eugene, and Evelyn and numerous nephews and nieces. Jean’s family is deeply grateful for the care and support provided by her doctors, Paul T Endo, Christopher Wulff, Amir Modarressi, Ramin Khashayar,and Steven Cademartori; oncology nurse practitioner Kathy Shieu; home care nurses, Susan and Emily; caregivers Mary Dodds, April and Gina; the staffs of John Muir Medical Center and the Hospice of the East Bay.

Ben Omoto, 82, a beloved and well-known Monterey Peninsula community youth sports figure passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 21. Not a day went by where ever he was in Monterey that a person or family and people from every type of business and profession did not come up to him to say “hi” in warm recognition and appreciation. Known as “Coach Ben”, “Coach B” and “Coach Benjo” to thousands around the Peninsula, his sudden death stunned many because his long service to the community that stretched back to the 1950s caused many to believe that he was a permanent indestructible presence in Monterey’s youth sports. Now that presence will be the rich legacy that he leaves behind for so many. Generations of those youth paid tribute to him, expressing how his kindness, humor and commitment to them in youth sports made such a profound difference in their lives. He was known for his biting humor, gentle teasing and kidding accompanied by a constant laugh and chuckle that made everyone around him happy. He was deeply loved, cherished and a crucial central figure in his family, including raising with love, respect and patience a daughter with special needs. He was also known and loved as “Grandpa Ben”. Born in San Jose and raised in Monterey, he is survived by five sons, Jim, Marty, Larry, Randy and Greg; 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. An older brother, Bill, survives him. A younger brother, Dick, died over a year ago and a younger brother, Robert died in childhood. Wife, Tomi Julie Omoto, passed away in 1979, followed by the deaths of his two daughters, Sheri Omoto Chapman in 2005 and Ricki Alana Omoto in 2003 and an infant son, Jon Scott Omoto, in January 1967. Those deaths were devastating to Ben and his family.

Tom S. Obata, 93, resident of Gilroy, passed away peacefully on Aug. 22 at his home in Gilroy, with his family at his side. He was born Sept. 22, 1917 in Hollister, California. He graduated from Hollister High School, where he played on the baseball and football teams. Tom briefly attended Hartnell College (formerly Salinas Junior College) before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the much decorated 442nd Infantry during World War II. On Dec. 19, 1948, Tom married Hideko “Hedy” Kimoto of Watsonville. Tom, son of a first generation Japanese farmer, farmed with his brothers Jack and Joe as the Obata Brothers. They grew garlic, tomatoes, sugar beets, bell peppers, and lettuce on nearly 700 acres. The Obata Brothers, along with 14 growers and business people, were founders of Gilroy Foods in 1958. Additionally in 1969, they partnered with a group of local farmers and Santa Clara County to create housing for migrant farm workers, now known as Arturo Ochoa Migrant Farm Worker Center. A leader in the farming community, Tom served as director of the California Tomato Growers Association, California Sugar Beet Growers Association, Salinas Valley Independent Growers, and California Canners and Growers. In addition, he served the Gilroy community as a member of the Gilroy Planning Commission for several years. He was proud of his 55 year membership in the American Legion, and was Past Commander of Gilroy Post 669. Besides spending time with family, the three things that brought him joy were fishing, gardening, and welding. Along with local spots, he enjoyed many trips to the Sierras and Alaska with his fishing buddies. During retirement, he always grew a large vegetable garden and enjoyed sharing the bounty with friends and loved ones. Tom was a creative and ingenious welder, giving away his fish inspired creations and large bells made from spent oxygen tanks. Tom is survived by his children Robin Obata (John Hastings), Tom Jr. (Valerie), and Dalene Obata; grandchildren Aubrey Kendall (Tim), Kylee Nakamura (Gregg), and Emiko Hastings; great-grandchildren Kenzi and Maya; siblings Jack Obata (Atsuko), Joe Obata (Edna), James Obata (Donna), Tomi Kobara (Rod), and Bob Obata; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Ichiro, Yasuko, Katie, George, and Bill (Betty).

Capt. Gordon Ross Nakagawa, USN (ret) of Marina, Calif., a career naval officer, passed away Aug 23, following a battle with cancer at the age of 76. He was born Jun 13, 1935 in Auburn to the late Bunny and Harriett Nakagawa. He is survived by his loving wife Jeanne, and their children Gregory, Kathleen, and Steven.

Dr. Tadashi Kadonaga, 82, resident of San Jose, passed away on Aug. 25 at home with his loving family by his side. As a compassionate physician, he helped bring many lives into the world as he delivered thousands of babies and touched the lives of many more throughout his life. Born Aug. 26, 1928 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the son of Masa and Tsune Kadonaga, he grew up on a vegetable farm near the ocean and learned the value of hard work, resourcefulness and education. After completing the seventh grade, he moved to Japan in July 1941 to continue his studies. There, he witnessed the horrors of WWII and resolved to dedicate his life to healing by becoming a physician. In 1949, he returned to his family, who moved to Chicago after their release from the Japanese internment camps. With determination, he taught himself English and graduated from medical school at the University of Illinois. In 1957, he married an art student, Alice Nagai. He then served as a captain in the Army at Fort Bragg, NC, before completing his obstetrics-gynecology residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. In 1962, he moved to San Jose and opened his medical practice to which he devoted 37 years. He also served the medical community as Chief of Staff of Alexian Brothers Hospital. After his retirement, he enjoyed birding, writing poetry, watching Oakland A’s baseball, and spending time at Half Moon Bay. He especially loved traveling with his wife and regularly returned to Japan for reunions with beloved childhood friends and family. His life has been inspirational, and he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Alice, sons, Jim (Anne) and Ken (Tanja Pajevic), daughter, Julie (Chris) Salmon, brothers, Aki (Misa) and Yuwao, and six grandchildren: William, Natalie, Nico, Gabriel, Andrew, and Geoffrey.

Kenji Noda, 87, of Fresno, passed away on Aug. 27.

Walter Atsushi Sugasawara, 89, resident of San Carlos, passed away on Aug. 28. Beloved husband to Emi, brother to Sakai, father to Elaine, Renee, Daryl and Stuart, grandfather to Korinne, Mariko, Karen, Lauren and Connor.

After a brief illness, Keiji Yoshimura died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Aug. 29. He is survived by Mie, his wife of 36 years, son Mike Moore and his wife Paige; grandchildren Brandon Moore, Anthony and Christopher Devaughn; four great grandchildren; sister-in-law Hizi Yoshimura and nieces and nephews Ken Kagehiro, Lani Yoshimura and Lynne Yoshimura. Preceding him in death were his daughter Luan Devaughn; his parents Shizuo and Motome Yoshimura; and his siblings Kimi (Midori) Kagehiro, Akiji Yoshimura, Toshiro (Tomoko) Yoshimura and Shizuko (Ole) Fagerhaugh; and his niece Rei Durk. Born in Colusa on Dec. 12, 1928, he went to local schools until his family was uprooted to a relocation center in Amache, Colorado during World War II when Mr. Yoshimura was still a teen. The evacuation and the experiences his family faced during the post- war years after returning to Colusa, deeply affected him. He served as a sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and was stationed in Germany for a time. After he was discharged, he used the A & E (aeronautics and engineering) training he had received in the military to land a job in Southern California as a mechanic for United Airlines. After a near fatal automobile accident in the sixties, he returned to Colusa where he worked alongside his brothers Aki and Tosh at the Vogue Cleaners. He later took over the cleaners from his brother Aki. He was affiliated with the business for nearly 50 years. In 1975, he married Mie Takahashi-Moore becoming a devoted family man and father to their children Mike and Luan, and wonderful mentor to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Yoshimura was a soft-spoken and kind man who selflessly helped others throughout his life and had a deep fondness for animals, especially cats. He had a real aptitude for design and was skilled at working with his hands. He used these talents to improve the quality of life for many people. Mr. Yoshimura had a warm smile and was quick to joke and laugh. He was supportive of his wife Mie’s work with Soka Gakkai International.

Haruo ‘Harry’ Sazaki, 92, passed away on Aug. 31, after a year-long bout with stomach cancer. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gladys and his siblings Yukiharu ‘Pete,’ Yukimi Hamano, and Akeharu. He is survived by his children Leonard (Danuta), Marcus (Vicki), Noni (Randy Widener), and Kris (Neil Matsuoka); his grandchildren Julie (Jeff Alspaw), Jessica (Jeff Wingert), Jeremy, Joanna, and Miles; and his great-grandchildren Brittany, Tyler, Joshua, Ava, and Jacob. He also leaves behind his dear companion Dorothy Kamada. Harry was born in Penryn on Feb. 21, 1919. He loved to tell stories of farming with his father and brother Pete. When he wasn’t getting into trouble, he learned a lot about farming and in later years, was an accomplished gardener. This year’s peach crop was the tastiest yet. He dropped out of high school to work the farms but was drafted into the US Army in February 1941. He served in WWII, the Korean War, and post-war Japan. Harry always said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. Because of his time spent in the army, he was able to meet his wife, travel, live in Japan, and serve his country for 22 years. He retired at the rank of major. He then spent 15-plus years working for the City of Sacramento, Traffic Engineering Dept. Those who knew him will say what a storyteller he was. He had great stories to tell, too, like the time he was a sole survivor of an airplane crash during the Korean War. He was a jokester to boot, which always came out when he played cribbage. Family members have had their share of fun trying to win two bits off Dad/Grandpa/Great Papa, but he had the quarters to prove he could still beat the pants off everybody.

Terry Fujimoto, resident of San Jose, was born Oct. 22, 1945 and raised on Maui, died peacefully on Sept. 1 after a brave battle with lymphoma. Beloved husband to Joyce, father to Jodi and Lisa, father-in-law to James and Eric, grandfather to Trevor, son of Tomiko and Toshio and brother to Gail and April.

Terry attended Purdue University to obtain his Bachelor’s degree and MBA, and worked for many years at Tymshare. For the past 20 years, he and his wife Joyce have been the owners of The Wine Rack in San Jose. Terry had a quirky sense of humor, and an infectious laugh. He was friendly and generous, and quick to welcome new friends. He loved to be surrounded by his family and his pets. He endured his cancer with dignity and without complaint. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Don Kiyoshi Mitani, 89, died on Sept. 2, following a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease. Don was born on July 1, 1922 in Fresno, California. He moved to Japan with his parents during childhood and was educated there, completing high school before returning to the United States in 1941. After the start of World War II in 1942, he was interned with other Japanese American citizens, first at Tule Lake, California, and later at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Following the end of the war in 1945, Mr. Mitani relocated to Los Angeles where he worked as a gardener. There he met and married Sally Sadako Oshita in 1950. In 1955, Don, Sally, and their two young boys moved to the Monterey area, first to Castroville and later to Watsonville. In that same year, he began a successful produce company with Frank and Jack Oshita, his brothers-in-law. The company, Oshita, Inc., specialized in growing green onions and was a pioneer in bringing mixed lettuces to the Salinas Valley. He retired after selling the company in 1987, allowing him more time with two of his greatest loves; his grandchildren and golfing. He remained in the Monterey Bay Area and continued to live in Watsonville before moving to Villa Serra Senior Living Home in Salinas. Mr. Mitani is survived by his wife, Sally; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Mark of Salinas, John (Sally) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and David (Terri) of Los Angeles; and four grandchildren, Kenji, Zachary, Scott, and Kate.

Kunitaka Higuchi, 82, resident of El Cerrito, passed away peacefully on Sept. 2, surrounded by his family. A Berkeley native, Mr. Higuchi served our country in the Army before going onto a 50+ year career as an auto mechanic. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Hiroko; sister Fumiko; daughter Hitomi; son Jimmy; grandchildren Kayla and Trane; and granddog Charley. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends but will always be remembered as the kind, honest, happy and gentle man whose laughter was witnessed by all.

Matsue ‘Matsy’ Inaba, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Sept. 4. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, brother Dix Koga, and brothers-in-law Richard Inaba, Flu Inaba, George Okubo and sisters-in-law Toshiko Inaba and Mabel Okubo. She is survived by her son Kenneth (Reiko), son Alvin, daughter Joyce Miller (David), daughter Sandy, sister-in-law Dorothy Koga, and sisters-in-law Rieko Inaba, Misao Inaba, Betsie Sanui, and brother-in-law Kan Sanui. She was the loving grandmother of seven, Jason, Bryant, Denise, Kenny, Tadashi, Travis, Tad, and the loving great-grandmother of five, Tera, Seth, Kiyomi, Grant, and Canyon.

Ayako W. Dong, resident of San Leandro, passed away peacefully on Sept. 6 in her home after a long illness. Ayako was a devoted Wife, Mother, and Grandmother who enjoyed gardening, cooking, and cats. Born on March 15, 1928 and raised in Yokohama, Japan. She married Wallace Dong and came to America in 1953. She loved children and animals. She took care of many stray and homeless cats throughout the years. Ayako is survived by her beloved daughter and son-in-law Mariko and Gary Lee, her two grandsons Bryan and Corey, and her cat, Miss Kitty. She also leaves behind several extended family members in Japan and Hawaii. We will miss Ayako’s generosity and kind spirit.