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| George Higashioka |
George Takaru Higashioka (Poston 219-7-A) was born on March 21, 1921 in Montebello, California to Japanese immigrants, Kumajiro and Shizuyo (Fujii) Higashioka. Kumajiro immigrated to the U.S. when he was 18 years old and entered through El Paso, Texas in August of 1907. When George was six years old, the family moved to Salinas to raise lettuce.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066, George, his parents, and brother Tom were forcibly evacuated from Alisal to the Salinas Assembly Center. A few months later, they were incarcerated at the Poston Arizona concentration camp 2. They arrived on July 2, 1942 and were assigned to live at block 219-7-A. While in Poston, George was an instructor for the Red Cross First Aid Class. George left Poston on February 11, 1943 to attend school at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa, and three months later, returned to Poston on school vacation from New Orleans. That summer, he helped Scout Troop 122 with the First Class Badge, and played second base on the Rattlers baseball team. In December of 1944, George went to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tom Higashioka left Poston on September 20, 1945 and went to Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents left Poston, Arizona on September 23, 1945 and returned to Salinas, California. George left Poston on September 13, 1945 and went to New York City. Later, he relocated to Chicago for several years before settling in San Mateo, California in 1947.
George Higashioka married Yaye Tanaka at the San Mateo Buddhist Church in 1954. George was a general insurance agent, and provided income tax services. His gardening company had a contract with several Bay Area Hilton Hotels for over three decades, and George was co-owner in a travel agency, and he led many tour groups to Japan. George served as president of the San Mateo Buddhist Church and was an active member for over 65 years.
George Higashioka died on June 14, 2012 in San Mateo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kumajiro (1980) and Shizuyo Higashioka (1967); sister, Yoshie Yamahata (2007); and brothers, Shigeru (2004) and Tom (1988).
He is survived by his wife, Yaye; sons, Donald, and Andy (Patti) Higashioka and grandchildren, Michael and Mark.
Source: http://hosting-1085.tributes.com/show/George-Takaru-Higashioka-93997257
