 |
| Frank S. Kimura |
Frank Shigeaki Kimura was born in Parlier, Calif., on Nov. 18, 1923, to Arakichi and Yoshiye Kuroki Kimura. Frank graduated from Reedley High School in 1942, married Helen Ito on Dec. 11, 1949. At the beginning of World War II, the Kimura family was evacuated to the Poston Arizona Internment Camp III. In 1943, at the age of 18, Frank volunteered for the U.S. Army and served his country as part of the 442nd Infantry Division, the most decorated division in U.S. Army history (known as Go For Broke). He served overseas in Italy and France and was discharged Dec. 8, 1945.
After WWII, Frank returned to Reedley, and with his brother George, started a trucking business. The next 60 years, the brothers ran Kimura Trucking that transported the many types of produce grown in this area. Frank had many other business interests, brush shedding, gondola grape picking, and also mechanical grape harvesting where he delivered grapes to various wineries in the valley, and also farming.
In 1960, Frank's love for horses inspired him and two of his friends to create the Central Valley Saddle Club, located in Reedley. They wanted to provide fun activities for youth in the area. The Saddle Club continues to thrive and give enjoyment to many. Frank was a major contributor to the forming of the Nisei Farmers League (NFL). Along with Harry Kubo, Mas Abe and various other local Japanese American farmers, they worked together to develop an organization to unite and protect local growers rights. The Nisei Farmers League has become one of the most important organizations to the farming industry.
Franks many interests led him in many directions. He was involved in creating Y-K Laser Company, Land Leveling Company, Central Valley Ready Mix, and was a member of the Fresno Veterans of Foreign War Post 8499, Reedley American Legion #35, and a Board member of Royal Valley Fruit Growers Association, and a member of the Reedley Buddhist Church. He was named Agriculturalist of the year 2008 (Nisei Farmers League).
Frank is preceded in death by his daughter, Arlene (Kimura) Imoto; and his parents, Arakichi and Yoshiye (Kuroki) Kimura.
Frank is survived by his wife, Helen, daughter, Sandra (Dr. Gerald) Shinkawa; son, Tim Kimura; son-in-law, Jeff Imoto; and grandchildren; and his brother, George (Setsuko) Kimura.
