SUGI, TEI (1917-2016)

 Tei Sugi (1917-2016)

     Tei Sugi (Trokey) (Poston 328-10-B) was born on October 4, 1917 in Santa Clara, California and the youngest of seven children to Sadajiro and Haru Sugi. Her father had been a school principal in Japan and operated a grocery store in Los Angeles. Tei attended both elementary and high school in the Lincoln Heights in East Los Angeles. She received an A.A. degree from the Los Angeles Junior College in 1937. Due to California miscege-nation laws, she was married in the state of Washington. The married couple had one son, Jim Trokey, and soon became divorced.

     During WWII, Tei Trokey a single parent with her 2-year old son Jim, and her mother Haru Sugi, were forced to leave their grocery store business and evacuate to the Heart Mountain,

Tei Sugi

Wyoming concentration camp. Her father was separately evacuated to the Santa Anita Assembly Center. On October 26, 1942, he arrived at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp. On November 16, 1942, Tei, James and Haru Sugi transferred to the Poston, Arizona camp to join him. Tei Trokey was 25 year old and held several important positions working with the youth at Poston camp 3. She worked for the school as a liaison to resolve conflict between students and/or staff, and taught high school girls’ physical education classes. She was a substitute teacher for Junior High English and Math classes, and a Probation Officer for group of rebellious boys. She organized and sponsored clubs for young girls and elected block 328 council representative. She was  selected to represent Poston 3 at both the National Y-Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship Camp in the San Bernardino mountains. She was a “Singspiration” song leader held at the Christian Church, and played 2nd base on the All-Camp Girls’ Softball Championship team which traveled to Phoenix, Arizona.

    On July 7, 1945, Tei with her son James, and her parents, left Poston, Arizona and returned to Los Angeles. Their home which had been registered to a Caucasian relative  prevent from losing it during the war was not immediately vacated when they returned. 
      Tei was active with her son’s Sunday School education, Boy Scouts, and started the sober grad night at his high school. She worked for the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department and 27 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District, before retiring in 1983. She playing golf and past president of the Southern California Nisei Women’s Golf Association. She took yearly trips to the L.A. Dodgers spring training games in Arizona, and traveled to various VFW and 442nd RCT veteran activities with her long-time friend, Sadao Kodama.
     Tei Sugi, 98, and former resident of Alhambra, and Keiro and Laguna Niguel, California died on April 9, 2016. She is survived by son, Jim (Violet) Sugi; grandchildren, Denise (Chris) Beaufort and Wendy Herbert; great-grandchildren, Evan and Taryn Beaufort, Kayla and Casey Herbert; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

TSUTSUI, TAKASHI “TAK” (1932-2015)

Tak Tsutsui

     Tak Tsutsui was born on January 21, 1932, in Fresno, California to Masuo and Mutsue Tsutsui. He lived in Hanford, California, until he was incarcerated with other people of Japanese ancestry living on the western states following the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Tsutsui family was evacuated from their home and incarcerated at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp 2 apartment 221-3-C, for the duration of World War II. 
     At the Poston, Arizona concentration camp, Tak attended school. He placed third in the Boys “B” Division 25 yard finals event at the July 4, 1944 Camp 2 Swim Contest. He enjoyed playing badmitton, and hiked to the mountains to collect petrified wood. He caught fish from the Colorado River and cooked his catch on an open fire. He caught rattlesnakes and cut off the rattles to see who found the biggest snake. In school, he settled down a rowdy class when a substitute teacher was there for the day. He voluntarily collected money from his classmates to purchase a music box gift for their teacher, Miss Kerber, who was leaving school to get married to a sailor.

     Tak graduated from Selma High School in 1949. He married Miss Satoko Tanaka in 1953, and they began their life together. He was a ranch foreman until having a stroke in 1966. Despite his stroke, he was very active in supporting his children's interest. He was a project leader for the Terry 4-H Club, and Community Leader for Terry Hi 4-H. He served as a member of the Central California Judo Black Belt Association. Tak was past President of the Fowler Judo Club, and was awarded an honorary 3rd black belt for his dedication and service to the Chuka Judo Yudanshakai. Tak was also an active member in the community. He served as a member on the Selma Community Health Center Advisory Board, Nisei Farmers League and JACL District Council. He was also past president of the Selma JACL and Selma Fellowship group. Tak was an avid fundraiser and worked hard to raise money for programs that supported his children's schools, 4-H, judo and extra curricular programs.

     Tak Tsutsui died on February 11, 2015. Tak was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Tadako and Toshiye Tsutsui.

     He is survived by his wife Satoko; daughters, Janice (David) Englebright, Kathy (Wayne) Stogbauer, and Sandy Tsutsui (Martin) Trujillo; and son, Dr. Larry (Julie) Tsutsui. His granchildren: Jaclyn Stogbauer, Martha, Krista, Sarah, Laura, Julia, Hannah, Takashi, and Wilma Tsutsui. He is survived by his brothers, Marvin and Hideo Tsutsui.

Source: Fresno Bee on Feb. 14, 2015, oral history interview

KOGA, SUEKO SUE (TANAKA) 1917-2013

     Sueko Sue Tanaka (307-4-A) was born on December 30, 1917, in Guadalupe, California. She spent most of her childhood in the Guadalupe-Santa Maria area. Sue graduated from Santa Maria High School on June 17, 1935.

     After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, her father, Umekichi Tanaka was arrested by the FBI and incarcerated at the Department of Justice internment camp. After the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt, Sueko and her married brother, Minoru George Tanaka and family (307-3-C), moved to Tulare County, California located in a  Military 2 Zone. They were eventually evacuated from Dinuba, California, and incarcerated at Poston, Arizona concentration camp III. Her father was granted parole from the Department of Justice internment camp in Bismark, North Dakota, and joined his family at Poston camp III on September 2, 1942.  While in Poston, a marriage was arranged with Mr. Toshiyuki Tom Koga, who had evacuated from Loomis, California. Masayuki Koga was born at Poston General Hospital in December 1944. They left Poston, Arizona on September 17, 1945 and went to Fresno, California.

      Sue and Tom Koga raised three children in the Clovis-Fresno area where she was active at the Fresno Betsuin, the Clovis Community Church, the Fujinkai, and in volunteer work. Sueko Koga died on December 8, 2013, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; and sons, Dave and Phil.

     She is survived by her sister, Yoshi Miwa; and son, Don (Kathy) Koga.

Source:  Fresno Bee on December 22, 2013

TAGUCHI, CHARLES YOSHIKANE (1925-2012)

     Charles Yoshikane Taguchi (Poston 326-12-B) was born on September 16, 1925 to Japanese immigrant parents, Sumitaro (1876)and Tome (1888) Taguchi. His father was the manager of a fish market in Reedley in the 1930s, while his brother, Shigeshi worked as a clerk in that store.

Charlie Taguchi, 1944

     Following the bombing of Pearl harbor and signing of Executive Order 9066, Charlie, his parents, and siblings: Shigeshi Fred, Sumiko Betty, Masami Johnnie and Namijiro Bobbie were evacuated to the Poston Arizona concentration camp 3.  They arrived on August 7, 1942, when the temperature was over 125 degrees.  Charlie attended high school and graduated from the Poston 3 High School  in 1944. While at Poston, Charlie was the Entertainment chairman, and head of the Movie Department.  He left the Poston, Arizona concentration camp  on July 25, 1944 and went to New York City, staying at the Greater New York Relocation Hostel.  His parents and sister Bobbie remained at Poston until August 8, 1945, when they returned to Reedley. 

     Charlie married Chiaki Osumi, and they adopted their daughter, Gaye. Charlie was the owner of the Reedley Camera Shop for many years in downtown Reedley.  His wife, Chiaki  taught Adult Education sewing night classes. Charlie served on the Reedley City Council  from 1978-2002, for 24 years. Charlie had written letters to his former Poston High School teacher, the former Miss Barbara Washler though the years.

     Charlie Taguchi died November 27, 2012  in Reedley at the age of 87.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Chiaki; and sister, Betty Taguchi (2005).  

Sources: http://www.reedleyexponent.com/articles/2012/11/29/news/doc50b7d7939491d214705612.txt

TSURUMOTO, HARUKO (TADA) 1916-2012

Haruko Tsurumoto

     Haruko (Tada) Tsurumoto (Poston 213-10-C) was born on March 24, 1916 in Watsonville, California to Japanese immigrant farmers, Kumakichi and Hana (Yeguchi)  Tada. Her father was 20 years old when he immigrated to the U.S. from Okayama, Japan in 1900.  He had entered the U.S. through Portland, Oregon accompanied by 32 year old Kayemon Tada.

     After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and signing of Executive Order 9066, Kumakichi, Hana, Haruko, Kazue, Ben, Mary and Richard Tada were forcibly evacuated from Watsonville and detained at the Salinas Assembly Center. After a few months, they were incarcerated at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp.  They arrived on July 4, 1942 and assigned to camp 2, block 213-10-C. Her sister, Misue Pearl (Tada) Ishimaru and husband, Fred Yuichi Ishimaru were assigned to Poston block 213-13-F.

     In Poston, Haruko's sister, Kazue Tada was in the Poston County Fair Queen contest, worked in the camp 2  Recreation Department and a Brownie Scout Patrol leader.

     Her sister, Mary Tada played the short stop position for the block 213 Terrorettes softball team, and in the 1942 Girls championship softball team.  She played a forward for the 213 Terrorettes basketball team, and was named by the Poston Chronicles in 1943 to the Girls "A" All Star Selection 1st Team as guard.  Mary was in the class of 1943 and was very active, as she served on the senior class Halloween Party Committee, Jr /Sr. Prom Entertainment Committee, elected student body Yell Leader, appointed Press Manager and assisted with the first edition of the  Poston 1 High School yearbook. Kazue and Mary both received invitations to Cheyenne, Wyoming and left Poston, Arizona on July 18, 1944.

    Her brother, Ben Tada had been a member of the Watsonville YBA Orchestra, playing the  saxaphone and trumpet. At Poston, Ben was the 1st baseman on the Terrors "AA" baseball team.  He went on temporary leave from Poston to Grand Junction, Colorado on August 12, 1943.  Ben played the E flat saxaphone for the January 1944 Polio Ball with the Swingmasters Band. Ben received an invitation to Cleveland, and left Poston in March of 1944.

     Haruko Tada went to Denver to join family and was the first in her family to leave Poston on June 1, 1943, however it was September 10, 1945 before her parents and school-aged brother, Richard left Poston, Arizona and returned to Watsonville.

     While in Denver, Colorado, Haruko Tada met Shigeru "Sam" Tsurumoto, who was born in 1917, and had been evacuated from Sebastopol, California to the Merced Assembly Center.  Sam had experienced incarceration at the Amache concentration camp in Colorado.  Haruko and Sam were  married in Denver, and later resettled to Sebastopol, where they started a family and operated a small apple ranch. Haruko was a homemaker, avid gardener, and member of the Enmanji Buddhist Temple.

     Haruko Tsurumoto died on February 20, 2012 at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shigeru "Sam" Tsurumoto (1979); father, Kumakichi (1962); mother, Hana (1988); sisters, Misue Pearl Ishimaru (2005), Kazue Tada (2001), and Mary Elizabeth Otsuki (2001); and brother, Richard Akira Tada (2008).

     She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Ken) Hayashi; son, Wesley (Nancy) Tsurumoto; grandchildren, Tad (Miko) Hayashi, Kyle Hayashi, Matthew  and Jennifer Tsurumoto; great-grand children Taiki and Mia Hayashi; sister, Kiyoko Iwami; and brother, Ben Tsutomu Tada.

Source: Press Democrat from February 26 to February 27, 2012

TAZOI, KIMIKO DORIS (YAGI) 1922-2012

Kimi Tazoi

     Kimiko Doris Yagi (Poston block 227) was born on June 27, 1922 in Kerman, California. She was the  second child born to the Japanese immigrants, Kazutoshi and Kameko (Wakimoto) Yagi.

     After the outbreak of WWII,  the Yagi family: Kazutoshi, Kameko, Nobutoshi, Kimi, Takako, and Cassie Mae were evacuated from Lindsay, California to the Poston, Arizona concentration camp block 227 on July 16, 1942.

     Kazutoshi became a member of the Poston Red Cross.  His son, Nobutoshi "Bush" served on the committee for the 1942 Mass Choir Festival committee. On January 16, 1944 Nobutoshi left the Poston concentration camp  to work in agriculture in Corrine, Utah and to seek  housing for his family so that they could leave Poston.

     At Poston, Kimi played table tennis, participated on the committee for the 1943 New Year Festival Committee, and the refreshment committee for the Valentine's Day singspiration.  Kimi was selected by the Poston Chronicle newspaper to the 1943  Girls "A"  All Star Basketball 2nd team- guard; and she served as the Youth Fellowship secretary.

     In November of 1942 the Poston school kids were asked to help harvest cotton in the local area due to a labor shortage.  Takako picked 26 pounds of cotton, noted in the Poston Chronicle newspaper. She served as chairman of the Teensters Club, and on the games committee for the Sophomore Christmas Party.  Takako played table tennis, and was a pitcher for the Bomberettes softball team. She was selected co-editor of the Campus Log newspaper, and co-editor of the first yearbook for Poston 2 High "School in 1943.  Takako graduated from Poston 2 High School in June of 1943.  She left the Poston concentration camp in September of 1943 to attend Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, where her name later appeared on the school's honor roll.

    In January of 1943, Cassie Mae was selected as the freshman class yell leader, and she was nominated as a candidate for the Future Farmers of America  (F.F.A.) Winter Gathering Queen contest.

     On March 17, 1944, Kimi, her parents, and sister Cassie Mae finally left the Poston, Arizona  concentration camp and joined Nobutoshi in Corrine, Utah.  Kimi was hired at Brigham Apparel, where she later met Jim Yoshio Tazoi, a native to Utah and her future husband. 

     Pfc. Jim Yoshio Tazoi enlisted in the Army 1941, and served with the 442nd RCT 3rd Battalion, Company K as a radio man in France and Italy. He received the Distinguished Service Cross Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Crest of Valor from the Italian government. After the end of the war, Jim returned to his home in Utah, and met Kimi Yagi.

     Several years later, Kimi and Jim Tazoi were married on January 15, 1948. They raised three sons, who helped work on the family farm, which produced "bleached celery", sugar beets, onions, hay, and various grains.

     In 1955, Kameko Yagi finally became a naturalized citizen. Through the years, Kimi won many Home Arts awards and ribbons at the local county fair and the Utah State Fair.  She enjoyed quilting, sewing, canning, and cooking.

     Kimi Tazoi, resident of Garland, Utah, died on July 7, 2012 at the age of 90 years.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Kazutochi (1955), and Kameko Yagi (1986); husband, Jim Yoshio (2007); brother Nobutoshi Hayano “Hank” (1982); sister Takako “Taki” Minamide (2009); sons, Lt. Col. Douglas (1997) and Donald Y. Tazoi (2004).

     She is survived by sister, Cassie Mae (Bob) Endo of Torrance, CA;  son, Edwin J. Tazoi of Taylorsville, UT; and grandchildren, “Kate” (Doug) Bartlett, of Plymouth, MA, Emilee Tazoi, of Brigham City, UT, J.D. (Nicole) Tazoi, of Sandy, UT, Jordan E. Tazoi, of Sandy, UT; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Iverson, or Brigham City, UT, and Finn Bartlett, of Plymouth, MA.

Source: http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1529639&fh_id=11779