KAWAMOTO, Kiyoshi (1925-2011)

Kiyo Kawamoto

     Kiyoshi Kawamoto, 86, was born March 11, 1925, in Reedley. He attended Great Western Elementary and Reedley High School, where he graduated in 1942 - right before he and his family were removed from their rural farm and sent to the Poston III internment camp (block 318-4-B) in Arizona. Before World War II ended, Kiyoshi and the rest of the Kawamoto family moved to Seabrook, NJ, where they worked at the Seabrook Farms frozen foods plant before returning to their Reedley farm in 1946.

     For more than 70 years, Kiyoshi and his parents ran the family farm and raised plums, peaches, nectarines, and grapes. He was a lifelong member of the Reedley Buddhist Church, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. His father, Kojiro Kawamoto, was one of the church's founders. Kiyoshi served two terms as church president. In addition, he was the president of the Central California Young Buddhist Association and president of the Reedley chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. 

     Kiyoshi was a devoted, caring and loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a diehard and devoted San Francisco Giants fan - and was excited and thrilled when the Giants won the World Series in 2010. He also enjoyed fishing, singing, music, dancing and traveling. Kiyoshi was known for his friendly personality, his good nature, his gift of talking and his positive outlook on life. He loved and thoroughly enjoyed being around people. He passed away peacefully on April 3, 2011, at Clovis Community Hospital.

     Kiyoshi is preceded in death by his parents, Kojiro and Suye Kawamoto; sister, Miyeko Lorene (Kawamoto) Kamikawa; and three siblings, who died in childhood, Yayeko, Setsuko, and Ken Kawamoto. He is survived by his wife, Sueko Kawamoto, of 57 years; two children, Jon (Dawn) Kawamoto of Albany, CA, and Ellyn Kawamoto (Steve) Hendricks of Carlsbad, CA, and granddaughter, Kyra Kawamoto of Albany, CA. .

Published in the Fresno Bee on April 6, 2011