OHAMA, George Taro (1914-2010)

George T. Ohama

     George T. Ohama, a long-time Sanger area Japanese-American farmer, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010, five weeks prior to his ninety-sixth birthday. He was born on September 22, 1914, in Osso Flacco near Guadalupe and Arroyo Grande on the central California coast where his parents Kunzo and Hanako Ohama farmed.

     In 1926, the Ohama family moved to Sanger where George graduated from Sanger High School in 1932. A few years later, George left the family farm and worked in Guadalupe until the outbreak of World War II. He interned at Poston Camp (Block 222-11-C) in Arizona where he met and married Haruye Adachi (Block 222-4-A). They were happily married for over 66 years. The young couple left camp early to work in Pennsylvania, then returned after the end of the war to farm peaches, grapes, and raisins in the Fresno area.

     For the last few years of his life, he was a resident of Vintage Gardens. He loved fishing! The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staffs of Vintage Gardens and Optimal Hospice for their care of their father.

     Preceding him in death was sister, Haruko Umino; and brothers, Abe, Ben and Bill. He is survived by Haruye, his wife of 66 years: five children, Abe (Darlene) Ohama, Dan (Kathleen) Ohama, Irene (Steve) Domoto, all of Fresno; Ruth (Don) Fujinaga of Cutler;  and Marilyn (Ted) Hasegawa of Santa Clara; nine grandchildren: Joe, Jason, Jamie, Jacey, Sarah, Lance, Rebecca, Derek and Michael; and five great-grandchildren.

Source: Published in the Fresno Bee from August 22 to August 24, 2010