George Heiji Kitahara (Poston 308-6-C) was born on November 24,
1918 to Ichizo and Kiyo Kitahara, immigrant
Japanese farmers. Ichizo had immigrated to the United States in 1898 and Kiyo
immigrated in 1915. He graduated from Reedley High School and from the University
of California, Berkeley where he was elected the Vice-President of the Phi
Epsilon Chi (University Service Society) class of 1940, majoring in Agriculture
and Plant Science. He was a member of
the Japanese Students' Club, the Housing Board, and participated in boxing.
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| Kitahara farm visited by Dillon Myers, WRA Director |
After the signing of Executive Order 9066, the Kitahara family (Ichizo,
Kiyo, Miyo, George, Kei, and Toru) was evacuated and incarcerated at the Poston,
Arizona concentration camp III. They arrived
on August 4, 1942 and were assigned to live at block 308-6-C. George left Poston
on May 25, 1943 after obtaining employment in Gary, Indiana.
George married Viola Taketa (Poston 329-9-B). Viola was born on August 8, 1922 to Isamu and Fukuko Takeda, and was attending
San Diego State College when she was evacuated
to the Santa Anita Assembly with her parents and sisters, Rose, Sophia, and
Violet. Several months later, the Takeda
family was transported and incarcerated at the Poston concentration camp III in
Arizona.
George Kitahara was farming 175 acres in Reedley and Parlier, California at the end of
World War II when he was visited by Dillon Myers, Director of the War Relocation Authority.
From 1976-1978, George served as President of the Fresno County Farm
Bureau. He also served on the Fresno
County Air Pollution Control Board, and was active in the Lions' Club. In
addition to farming, he was an avid airplane pilot, lapidary, fisherman, golfer
and gardener.
George H. Kitahara, age 93 years, died on June 9, 2012. He was preceded
in death by Viola, his beloved wife of 65 years in 2010 in Park City, Utah.
He is survived by daughters, Dee (Randy) Logan, Ellen (Joe) Anderson and
Barbara (Terry) Mukai; son, Gary (Luann) Kitahara; sister, Yoneko Minami.
A private memorial service was held in
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Source: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fresnobee/obituary.aspx?pid=158764011#storylink=cpy
