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| Todd Morimoto |
Todd "Tadashi" Morimoto (Poston 17-4-BC) , was
born on February 4, 1924, to Japanese immigrant parents, Zeichiro "Jim"
and Yoshi (Tarui) Morimoto in Castroville, California. Zeichiro immigrated from
Japan in April 1907 through Seattle at the age of 17 years, accompanied with
his father, Otomatsu Morimoto, a grocer.
After the signing of Executive Order 9066 in February of 1942, Zeichiro,
Yoshi, Nobuo, Setsuyo Alice, Todd, Ayako Betty,
Mitsue Rosie, Yoshiye Jane, Akira, Kenji, Kikue
and Suyetsugi Benjamin Morimoto were forcibly removed from their home in
Castroville and detained at the Salinas Assembly Center. After a few months, the family was incarcerated
at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp 1. They arrived on May 30,
1942 and assigned to the living quarters at 17-4-BC. Todd left Poston on April 28, 1943 and was
hired to work in Chicago. Nobuo left Poston on January 15, 1944 and was invited
to Cleveland. On June 13, 1944, Betty and Alice left Poston after receiving an
invitation to Denver, Colorado. Rosie relocated to Denver in August 21, 1945.
The rest of the Morimoto family left Poston on September 23, 1945 to return to
Gilroy.
In 1944, Todd was inducted into the Army and later was honorably discharged. He resettled
in Chicago and on January 6, 1946, he married Sachi Turuda in Chicago. Sachi
had been evacuated from Los Angeles County to the Santa Anita Assembly Center
and incarcerated at the Amache, Colorado concentration camp. The couple returned to California and Todd attended Monterey
Peninsula College. After completing school, Todd and his family
returned to Chicago. Todd worked for ACME Industrial Company during the 1960's
and was very active in the Local 310 Union. Later, he was employed with the P&H
Crane Division-Harnischfeger Industries and after 14 years of service, he retired
in September of 1984.
In 1999, Sachi Morimoto died suddenly. Todd relocated to Kenosha, Wisconsin
with his daughter, Sue Ann and her
family. Todd enjoyed bowling, reading,
golfing and watching the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and very proud of his only
grandchild J.T. Meason's accomplishments.
Todd "Tadashi" Morimoto, 87, of Kenosha, died on September 5,
2011, at Aurora Medical Center in Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his wife,
Sachi (1999); father, Zeichiro "Jim" (1981) and mother, Yoshi
Morimoto (1971); daughter, Sue Ann (Morimoto) Meason (2006); brother, Nobuo
(1999); sister, Alice "Setsuyo" Masamori (1991), Bette
"Ayako" Torio (2007), Jane "Yoshie" Hayashi (2008); and brothers,
Kiyoshi, Shigeo, and Kenji K. Morimoto (1993).
He is survived by daughter, Sandi Morimoto of Kenosha; sons, Ronald of Chicago,
and Glenn (Carol) Morimoto of Downers Grove, IL; grandson, James Todd Meason of Kenosha; and
siblings in California: sisters, Rose "Mitsue" (Kiss) Miyasaki of San
Jose, Kiki "Kikue" (Hiromi) Takemoto of Woodland Hills, Leslie
Chisaye (Roy) Hosaka of San Diego; and brothers, Akira (Dulce) Morimoto of
Watsonville, Benji "Suetsugu" (Sally) Morimoto of Fairfield, and Nob
(Corky) Kurita of Sacramento.
Source: http://www.kenoshanews.com/obits/245729168_245729168.html
