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| Joe Ikemiya |
Joe Yoshikazu Ikemiya, was born on
January 18, 1923, in Clovis, California, the oldest son of Chokichi
"Henry" and Shun Ikemiya. He attended elementary school in Sanger and
Richgrove, graduating from Delano High School in 1940. His sophomore year at
University of California, Berkeley, was interrupted by World War II, when he
and his family were relocated to the Poston, Arizona concentration camp 1 (13-6-B) for
three years.
After the war ended, his family
returned to Sanger and Joe completed his education at Reedley College in 1949.
His family then moved to Reedley where he began his career in farming. He
married Fumiko Tamaki in 1956. He ran a successful farming operation and
packing shed under the "Ike's Best" label, until he fully retired in
2001.
Joe was an active member of the
Reedley Buddhist Church and Reedley Nikeijin-kai. His interests included
sports, coaching baseball and basketball, traveling to the national parks,
growing orchids, and adding to his cherished rock collection. He especially
enjoyed his role as grandfather, attending volleyball and softball games,
concerts, and plays to see his beloved grandchildren at every event.
On December 13, 2009, Joe received
an honorary degree from UC Berkeley at a special graduation ceremony for the
Japanese American former students whose education was disrupted by internment.
More than 40 proud members of the Ikemiya and Kawagoe families were in
attendance.
Joe Ikemiya, age 92, died on January
29, 2015 in Reedley, California.He was preceded in death by his parents; and
brothers, James Ikemiya and George Ikemiya.
He is survived by his wife of 59
years, Fumiko; son, Robert "Bobby" (Susan) Ikemiya; daughter Lily
Ikemiya; son, Donald (Rhea) Ikemiya; grandchildren, Crystal, Kelsey, and
William; sister, Toshiko Kawagoe; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Ikemiya and Kikuyo
Ikemiya; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in the Fresno Bee on Feb. 8, 2015
