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| Shiro Kubota |
Shiro Kubota (Poston 209-9-B) was born March 8, 1931 in Salinas, California and the youngest of six siblings born to Enosuke and Shiyekesa Sue Kubota.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, the Kubota family was evacuated from their home in Salinas to the Salinas Assembly Center. After a few months, they were transported to more permanent living quarters in the Arizona desert at the Poston, Arizona internment camp, block 209-9-B on July 4, 1942. While in camp, Shiro earned the title of fastest swimmer. In January of 1943, his sister, Hede Sue Kubota, married Hideo Bob Takiguchi. In May of that year, another sister, Aiko Alice Kubota found employment in Detroit, Michigan and left Poston. Several months later, his other sister, Riwa Eva Kubota located employment in Detroit, and left Poston. In August 1944, his brother, Jerry Jiro Kubota left Poston to report to Fort Douglas, Utah for the U.S. Army. Shiro and his mother left Poston on October 31, 1944, and went to Bridgeton, New Jersey.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, the Kubota family was evacuated from their home in Salinas to the Salinas Assembly Center. After a few months, they were transported to more permanent living quarters in the Arizona desert at the Poston, Arizona internment camp, block 209-9-B on July 4, 1942. While in camp, Shiro earned the title of fastest swimmer. In January of 1943, his sister, Hede Sue Kubota, married Hideo Bob Takiguchi. In May of that year, another sister, Aiko Alice Kubota found employment in Detroit, Michigan and left Poston. Several months later, his other sister, Riwa Eva Kubota located employment in Detroit, and left Poston. In August 1944, his brother, Jerry Jiro Kubota left Poston to report to Fort Douglas, Utah for the U.S. Army. Shiro and his mother left Poston on October 31, 1944, and went to Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Later, Shiro returned to Salinas and played football for the Salinas High School.
Shiro served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War Conflict.
As a businessman, Shiro operated the Kubota Farms, Inc. for over 30 years. He assisted exchange students as well as his employees, and was the first to use rubber bands on celery for packing.
Shiro Kubota was an adventurer, and lived in the desert from his van for over a year while attempting to mine for gold. While he was living in San Francisco, he invented a golf club with name inscribed via casting after reading a book on investment casting. Shiro invented a safe cover for wheelchairs, to help a friend who was exposed to inclimate weather.
Shiro Kubota, a resident of El Sobrante, California, died on May 31, 2011. He is preceded in death by his father; mother, Shiyekesa Sue Kubota (1980), and five siblings.
He is survived by wife of 27 years, Ria Tanz Kubota; daughters, Sharon Kubota of Southern California and Kym Cashen of Long Beach; and son, Masaru Kubota of Carmel.
Published in Contra Costa Times on June 4, 2011
