TAKEMOTO, CHIYEKO (1926-2012)

     Chiyeko was born  on February 25, 1926 in the Imperial Valley.  She was evacuated and incarcerated at Poston, Arizona and completed high school there.

     Chiyeko married Mitsuo Takemoto in 1949 and raised her family in Gilroy. She was an  avid gardener and talented needlecrafter.  Chiyeko Takemoto, a resident of Gilroy, died on February 20, 2012.  She is predeceased by her son, David. 
     Chiyeko is survived by husband, Mitsuo; and daughters, Barbara, Marsha, and Anne Steven.

Source: San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times, February 25, 2012

TSURUDOME, BEN TAKAO (1943-2003)

     Ben Takao Tsurudome (Poston 327-6-A) was born on December 31, 1943 at the  Poston, Arizona concentration camp to Poston newlyweds, Shigenori and Fumiko Peggy (Matsumoto) Tsurudome. He had a baby brother, Jimmie, born at Poston a few years later.  When the family finally departed from Poston, Arizona on October 10, 1945, they went to resettle in National City, California.

      Ben T. Tsurudome was employed at the University of California, San Diego for 30 years before he retired as a data base administrator for the University in 1999.

  Ben Takao Tsurudome, a resident of San Diego, died on October 24, 2003.  He was preceded in death by his father, Shigenori, and brother Jimmie.

     He is survived by his wife Emma; mother, Peggy; stepdaughter Cindy; and grandson, Anthony Benjamin.

Sources: San Diego Union-Tribune on October 30, 2003, San Diego Union-Tribune on October 31, 2003

MIYAMOTO, HARRY TAMEO (1920-2004)

     Harry Tameo Miyamoto (Poston 5-12-D) was born in San Luis Obispo, California on June 8, 1920. He moved to Japan with his parents and completed 8 years of school while in Japan.  Harry returned to California alone in 1936, at the age of 15. Harry worked on various farms from Sacramento to Imperial Valley.

In 1940, Harry Miyamoto married Michi Mary Fujimoto, and the following year, baby Junko Margaret was born.

     Following the signing of Executive Order 9066, Harry and his family were evacuated from Santa Ana and incarcerated at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp block 5-12-D on May 15, 1942 . His wife, Michi gave birth to baby Michiko Harriet on August 6, 1942 on one of the hottest days (over 125 degrees) at Poston.  In 1944, Michi gave birth to a son, Hiroshi Kenneth while incarcerated at Poston. Harry departed from Poston and located an outside and better paying employment in Denver on May 27, 1944. Harry and his family finally left Poston, Arizona on October 2, 1945 and resettled in Glendale, Arizona.

     In 1951, Harry and his family settled in Oxnard, where he worked as a cooperative strawberry farmer. He worked in farming until his retirement in early 1980s. After retirement,  he was known as "The Newspaper Recycler, " an avid Lakers fan, and was known for his warm wit, and often raucous, card games with friends and family.

     Harry Tameo Miyamoto died on March 10, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Michi; and sons, Ken (Karen) Miyamoto, Paul (Sharon) Miyamoto of NY, John (Joan) Miyamoto, Alan (Heloisa) Miyamoto of Brazil; and her daughters, Margaret (James) Hosaki, Harriet (Robert) Hiji, Sue (Gary) Nakamura, Fumi (Steve) Nishimori, and Joyce (David) Schoonmaker; and her siblings in U.S. and Japan: Roy Miyamoto, Satsuki Nishi, Nobuko Shigenaga, Hisato Akazaki, and Yoshiko Yoshida.

Source: Los Angeles Times, March 13, 2004

HANAMI, FUMI (MIYATA) 1915-2012

Fumi Hanami

     Fumi Miyata (Poston 60-6-B) was born October 8, 1915 in Los Angeles County to Otokichi and Mitsu Miyata.  She graduated from an Imperial County high school.    

     Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, her father, Otokichi Miyata was picked up by the FBI and transferred to the Bismarck, North Dakota Department of Justice detention prison.  Along with her mother, Fumi and her siblings, Nobuo, Junji Johnny, Hisao Tommy, and Kikuye Emily were evacuated from El Centro and incarcerated at the Poston, Arizona concentration camp block 60-6-B on May 19, 1942.  Her father was granted a parole from the federal prison and joined his family at Poston, Arizona later on July 9, 1942.

     Her brother, Nobuo was the first in the Miyata family to leave Poston, Arizona.  He was released and went to a job in Cleveland on January 4, 1944.  Fumi left Poston and went to Chicago for employment on April 3, 1944. Hisao Tommy left Poston on September 15, 1944 to report for military service at Fort Douglas, Utah.  The rest of the Miyata family finally departed from Poston, Arizona on October 8, 1945 and went to San Dimas, California.

      In Chicago, Fumi worked for 9 months and saved her money as she planned to return to her home in California. When Fumi did return, she attended the Fashion Design and Sewing School, and became an accomplished seamstress.  

     Fumi Miyata married Yoshimi "Yes" Hanami in Los Angeles in 1960, and they moved to Rexburg, Idaho. As she settled into life on the farm, her yard became her passion, an oasis where she spent many hours and she continued to mow her lawn well into her 80's. Fumi died on February 24, 2012 in Rexburg, ID.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Yes; her parents, Otokichi and Mitsu;  her brothers, Ichizo, Masakichi, and Nobuo; and sister-in-law Marvel, and nephew, Kenny Miyata.

     She is survived by her brothers, Shinji Henry, John (Lily), and Tommy (Mieko).

Source: http://www.flammfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1405909&fh_id=11942

MIYAMURA, MASARU “MAS” (1922 - 2012)

     Masaru "Mas" Miyamura was born on September 10, 1922 in Alameda County, California to Seisaku and Rin (Kudo) Miyamura.

     Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mas was evacuated from Santa Cruz to the Salinas Assembly Center with his father, and siblings, Kiyoshi, Minoru, Hiroshi, Morio, Yoneko and Miyako.  They were later relocated and arrived at the Poston Arizona concentration camp block 32-2-D on June 30, 1942. His brother, Minoru was the first in the family to leave Poston, and in January 1945, he went to Salt Lake City.  Hiroshi left  Poston on May 17, 1945 and reported for military service at Fort Douglas, Utah. Kiyoshi left Poston in June and went to Denver. Seisaku, Masaru, Morio, Yoneko and Miyako left Poston on October 24, 1945 and went to San Jose.

     Masaru Miyamura, a long time resident of San Martin, died on March 30, 2012 at the age of 89 years.

      He was preceeded in death by his parents Seisaku and Rin Miyamura; his brother Kiyoshi Miyamura; his sister Miyako Yuhara;  and nephew, Wayne Miyamura.

     He is survived by his brothers, Mori Miyamura, Min (Kaz) Miyamura, and Hiroshi Miyamura; and his sister, Yoneko Miyamura.

Source: Morgan Hill Times, April 3, 2012

YAMAMOTO, MIDORI (HIROTSU) 1918-2012

     Midori Hirotsu was born on December 18, 1918 in Walnut Grove, California to Kikunoshin and Ichi Yamamoto. Her father was the proprietor of a Tailor Shop. Midori graduated from Courtland Union High School in 1936.

     Midori married Mikoto Harry Yamamoto in Salinas, CA in 1942, and they were  evacuated to the Salinas Assembly Center following the signing of Executive Order 9066.  They were relocated on July 5, 1942 to the Poston Arizona concentration camp at block 215-4-C. In 1943, Midori gave birth to a son, Kiyoshi Glenn, while at Poston.  In August 1943, the Yamamoto family departed from Poston, Arizona after Harry found outside employment on a farm in Havre, Montana.

The Yamamoto family later relocated to Chicago, and Joyce was born in 1944. Midori raised her family in Chicago and worked as a seamstress in their family-owned dry cleaning business. She spent her later years in Skokie and Palatine. Midori Yamamoto, age 93, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2012.  She was predeceased by her husband, Mikoto Harry (1976).

      She is survived by her brother, Gary (Aggie) Hirotsu; her son, Glenn (Linda) Yamamoto; daughter, Joyce (Ronald) Yoshino

Source: Published in Chicago Tribune on April 26, 2012

OMURA, MITSUKO (TANAKA) 1918-2012

     Mitsuko Tanaka was born on September 11, 1918 in Great Falls, Montana.  She was the eldest daughter born to Jasutaro and Mitsue (Shirota) Tanaka, and was sent to Japan and attended 3 years of high school before returning to the U.S. at the age of 19 years in 1938.

     Mitsuko married Masao Paul Omura (Poston 227-6-D), and they had a son, Kazuhiro.  The Omura family was evacuated from Exeter, California following the signing of Executive Order 9066, and arrived at the Poston Arizona internment camp (block 227-6-D) on July 17, 1942.  Mitsuko gave birth to Fumio while at Poston in 1944.  When the Omura family left Poston on August 30, 1945, they resettled in Seabrook, New Jersey, where Mitsuko worked for Seabrook Farms until her retirement at age 65 years.  In 1969, they moved to Upper Deerfield Township. 

     Mitsuko was an active member of the Seabrook Buddhist Temple, the Seabrook Buddhist Temple Women's Association, the temple's Fujinkai, Seabrook JACL, and a member of the Seabrook Minyo Dancers, who performed in 1977  in Washington, DC at President Jimmy Carter's inaugural celebration. Mitsuko was a member of the Seabrook Education and Cultural Center, and enjoyed embroidery, and was proficient at origami.

     Mitsuko (Tanaka) Omura, from Upper Deerfield Township,  died at the age of 93 years  on April 25, 2012.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Masao Paul Omura (1983).

     She is survived by her  sons, Kazuhiro "Kaz" (Judy) Omura of Pittsgrove, Fumio (Susan) Omura of Novi, Michigan, Danny T. Omura of Upper Deerfield and Robert S. (Barbara) Omura of Bridgeton; and her sister, Tamiko Sumita of Japan.

Source:  The Bridgeton News, April 28, 2012

MATOBA, CHISAKO BETTY (TAKASAKI) 1917-2012

Chisako Betty Matoba

     Chisako "Betty" Takasaki was born on September 20, 1917 in Los Angeles,  to Ketaro and Satomi Takasaki (Poston 317-7-C). Although her legal name was Chisako, everyone called her Betty, a name given to her by a teacher that couldn't pronounce her Japanese name. She graduated from El Monte High School in 1936. A family friend, Morikawa introduced her to Takao Matoba, and they were married in 1939.
      Takao, Betty and sons, Kazuo and Frank Matoba were evacuated from Corona del Mar, and arrived at Poston concentration camp block 28-3-D Arizona on May 17, 1942. Betty gave birth to a premature son, Susumu,  who died on December 2, 1942 at Poston, Arizona.  The family left Poston, Arizona on October 17, 1945 to resettle in Los Angeles.

     Betty cherished her family, loved gardening, sewing and helping others, she was a farmer's wife who loved sharing fruits and vegetables with relatives, neighbors and friends. Betty was a devout Buddhist who taught Sunday school and participated in many church organizations. Chisako "Betty" Matoba, died on April 14, 2012 in Del Rey, California. She was preceded in death by her parents;her son, Susumu; her sister,  Mits Mori; and her brothers, Nobuo and Mas Takasaki.

      She is survived by her husband, Takao;her sons, Harry (Janet) Matoba, Frank (Yuko) of Del Rey, Sam (Pam) of Davis; and her daughter, Sally (Ted) Kageura of Fresno; her brothers, George (Lilly)Takasaki of Reedley, Yas of Pacific Grove, Noboru (Fusa) of Parlier, Tosh (Taiko) of Oceanside;  and her sister, Yuki Takayama of Reedley. 
Source: The Fresno Bee. April 25, 2012

KAWAMURA, HIROSHI PETE (1940-2012)

Hiroshi Pete Kawamura

     Hiroshi "Pete" Kawamura (Poston 26-4-D) , was born on April 16, 1940 in El Centro, California to Dentaro and Takiko Kawamura.  Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his grandfather, Denjiro Kawamura was picked up by the FBI and interned at the Department of Justice internment camp in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hiroshi was evacuated with his mother, and siblings, Hideo, Kimiko, and Tomiko, from Holtville.  They arrived at Poston 26-4-D in Arizona on May 21, 1942.  While incarcerated at Poston, two sisters, Mine and Eiko were born. Grandfather, Denjiro Kawamura was paroled from Santa Fe and joined the family at Poston 26-4-D on April 20, 1944.  Unfortunately, he died months later on September 9, 1944 while at Poston. The Kawamura family left Poston on September 26, 1945 and headed to Glendale, Arizona.  They settled in Phoenix where Hiroshi attended West Phoenix High School, Phoenix College, and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Hiroshi had a distinguished 40-year career with Air Research/Garrett Turbine Engine Company/ Honeywell. He was a respected and well-loved manager who demonstrated leadership by working hard and being patient. After he retired, he loved to play tennis, work out at the gym, and spend time with his family. Hiroshi especially enjoyed spending time at his summer home in Idaho where he was learning to fly fish and tinkering at the family truck repair shop.

     A resident of Glendale, Arizona, Hiroshi died at the age of 71 years, on March 5, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Pam, daughters Lisa (Bart), and Anndrea (Randy) and siblings Hideo (Jane), Kimiko (Tom), Tomiko (Fred), Mineko (Jim), Eiko, Junko (Tim) and Ben.

 

Source: http://www.legacy.com

MUKAI, HITOSHI TORU (1923 - 2012)

Hitoshi Toru Mukai

 Hitoshi Toru Mukai (Poston 5-1-B) was born on September 17, 1923 in Venice, California to immigrant parents, Churo H. and Yae Mukai.  In 1926, his family moved to Huntington Beach and they were one of the original farming families in Orange County. Toru graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 1942. 

     Prior to his high school graduation ceremony, Toru, his parents, and brother, Shiyohei and sister, Setsuko, were evacuated from Huntington Beach.  They arrived at Poston, Arizona on May 15, 1942 where they were incarcerated during World War II.

     After the war, Toru and his family returned to Huntington Beach on October 19, 1945 and resumed operating the Mukai Nursery. His sister, Setsuko found employment in Philadelphia and left Poston a few months earlier on July 24, 1945.  For most of his adult life, Toru owned and operated the Mukai Nursery.

     Toru died at the age of 88 years on March 19, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sadako, and their daughters Gail, Laurie (Mark Yamada) and Ellen(Jeffry) Yonemura; and daughter Wendy (John) Petrouski.

Source: http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1440267&fh_id=10203

YATSU, KENSAKU FRANK (1883-1992)

      Kensaku Frank Yatsu (Poston 35-14-C)  was born in 1883 in Japan and immigrated to California in 1906. He was evacuated from Upland with his wife, Iwao Helen, and their children, Yoneo Lawrence, Haruo Charles, Kazuko Frances, and Michio Frank.  They were incarcerated at Poston camp 1 on May 25, 1942.   

     The family spent three years incarcerated at Poston 35-14-C.  Helen and daughter, Frances, left Poston on October 1, 1943 after accepting an invitation to go to Cleveland. Lawrence left Poston on January 4, 1944 after securing employment in Madison, TN.  Frank and his sons, Charles and Michio Frank left Poston on June 13, 1944 and joined the family at Cleveland, Ohio.

     Later, Frank Yatsu moved to Seattle and worked for a window company. 

     Kensaku Frank Yatsu, one of the oldest survivors of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, died at the age of 108 years, on July 24, 1992.  Besides Charles, Mr. Yatsu is survived by two other sons, a daughter.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/03/obituaries/frank-yatsu-internment-survivor-108.html

KAGAWA, YASUKO (UOTA) (1921-2012)

Yasuko Kagawa

     Yasuko Uota was born in Hiroshima, Japan, on January 1, 1921. She was the third child of a family of six siblings whose parents were farmers, who had initially immigrated to the United States in 1915.  Yasuko entered the United States in 1922, and her family lived in Fresno, California in the 1930s.   

     Yasuko was raised in Ivanhoe and Raisin City, California. She graduated valedictorian from Woodlake High School. She met Takeo Kagawa and later they were married in 1942 in Visalia, California.

      Takeo and Yasuko Kagawa were incarcerated at the Poston, Arizona (block 325-14-B) concentration camp from August 6, 1942.  They left Poston with their son Takeshi, who was born in camp and traveled to Wheaton, Illinois on March 7, 1945.

      In 1950, they returned to California, settled in Fresno and established a farm. There, they raised their family of three children.

      Yasuko Kagawa, died at the age of 91, on January 13, 2012, in Fresno. She was preceded in death by husband, Takeo (2007); father, Kantaro Uota; mother, Shigeno Uota; and brother, Masami (1977).

          Yasuko is survived by her sons, Takeshi Kagawa, Ph.D. of Fresno, Takumi (Mirei) Kagawa, D.D.S. of Pacific Palisades and Kimie (Bruno) Kagawa-Chomel, M.D. of Davis; and her sisters, Haruye Oto, Sueko Abe, Masako Kobayashi and Kazuko Ego.

Source:  Fresno Bee on January 18, 2012

NAGATA, JUNE MITSUYO (KISHI) (1934-2012)

June Nagata

     June Mitsuyo (Kishi) Nagata was born in 1934 in Merced County, and spent her early years in Livingston, CA.  The family later moved to Orosi, California and were evacuated to the Poston, Arizona concentration camp (block 305-2-D) in August 1942 along with nearly 18,000 people of Japanese ancestry living in the Western Pacific states during World War II.  The family returned to Orosi in June 1945.

     June was employed as a dental assistant before marrying Gordon Nagata in 1969, in Dinuba. June raised their two children and was an active volunteer at their schools and her church.

     June died on January 11, 2012, in Tulare, California.  She was preceded in death by husband, Gordon (2011); son, Keith (2002); father, Tsuneo Frank (1982); mother Suzuye (1990); and brother Alaric Teryuki (1984). She is survived by daughter, Michele Nagata of Los Angeles; sisters, Jean Shiba of Cutler, Janis Imoto of Lindsay, and Joanne Rowney of Prescott, AZ; and brother, Bob Kishi of Fresno. 

Source:  Visalia Times-Delta on January 16, 2012

KODANI, REVERENT MASAO HAROLD

    Masao Harold Kodani (Poston 30-9-D), was born in Glendale, California to Kaneichi Fred and Motome Kodani. As a young child, his family (and older brother, Hideki Richard) were incarcerated at the Poston Relocation Center in Arizona during WWII on May 27, 1942. His family finally departed from Poston on November 12, 1945 and returned to Los Angeles, where they lived in a predominantly African American community near the neighborhood of Watts. Although they were Buddhist, his parents sent their children to Evergreen Baptist Church in East L.A. because they thought it would be easier for them to fit in.

     After graduating from Centennial High School, Kodani attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where he earned his degree in East Asian Studies. While at UC Santa Barbara, he met Rev. Art Takemoto of Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. From Rev. Takemoto’s influence, Kodani went to Japan to study Buddhism at the Ryukoku University. After completing his studies, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Senshin Buddhist Temple in South Central Los Angeles as a sansei minister. In 1969, he co-founded Kinnara Taiko.  Their composition, "Ashura" has become one of the most learned adapted pieces in the American taiko repertory.

Source: http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/profiles/56/

KAWANO, IRIS YURIKO (NAKASHIMA) 1943-2004

     Iris Yuriko Nakashima (Poston 325-14-D) was born on February 29, 1943 at the Poston General Hospital in Arizona to Japanese immigrant, Yoshito Bud and Ayako (Osato) Nakashima, a nisei.  Her parents had been forcibly evacuated from Visalia, California to the wartime living quarters on August 7, 1942 at the Poston internment camp, in the Arizona desert.  Her father, Bud was a member of the Poston Red Cross, the most successful organization in the camp.  Her younger sister, Kay was born in Poston several months before the Nakashima family departed from Poston on May 2, 1945 and went to Reedley, California.

     Iris Nakashima married Richard Kawano in 1965 and they raised two children. 

     Iris Yuriko Kawano died on December 13, 2004. She had recently retired from teaching at Washington Elementary School in Reedley.  She was preceded in death by her father, Bud (2001).

     She is survived by husband, Richard; son,  Rod of Stockton; daughter, Kristi of San Jose; mother, Alice Nakashima of Dinuba; sister, Kay Cappilla of Agoura Hills; and brothers, Gary of Sacramento, Harvey  of Torrance, and Steven of La Mirada.

Published in the Fresno Bee on 12/16/2004.

SAIKI, IRENE YOSHIKO (TSUTSUMI) 1920-2011

     Irene Yoshiko Tsutsumi (Poston 317-12-B) was born on August 22, 1920 to Japanese immigrants, Sakuichi and Umematsu (Yokote) Tsutsumi on the family’s farm in Pismo Beach, California. 

     After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the signing of Executive Order 9066 in February 1942, Irene, her widowed mother, Ume, and Irene's brothers, Frank, Roy, and Raymond voluntarily relocated to Reedley, in central California to avoid being evacuated in the spring of 1942.  Unfortunately, they were later forced to evacuate with the residents of Reedley and were transported by train to their wartime living quarters in the Arizona desert, and arrived at the Poston internment camp, block 317-12-B on August 6, 1942, when the temperature was over 120 degrees. At Poston, Roy Tsutsumi played "A" league baseball on the block 317 team, and graduated from Poston III High School with the class of 1944.  Frank temporarily left camp to visit Colorado Springs, Indiana.  Irene located outside employment in Washington DC, and left Poston on March 28, 1944. Her brothers,  Frank and Roy, both located employment in Chicago, and left Poston on October 20, 1944.  Her mother and youngest brother, Raymond who was in elementary school, finally departed from Poston on September 28, 1945 and went to San Jose.

     Irene met and later married Lt. Col. Barry M. Saiki (MIS) and she moved to Baltimore, Maryland and later to Japan when he was stationed there. In 1959, they settled in San Francisco.  She worked as an administrative assistant at University of California San Francisco Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute for over 25 years.  She was a donor to the Chinese Historical Society of America, Kimochi, and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

     Irene Yoshiko Saiki 91, died on October 18, 2011 in San Francisco.  She was preceded in death by ex-husband, Barry M. Saiki (2006); and brothers, Roy Yasuo (1992) and Frank Akira (2006).

     She is survived by daughter Shizue Seigel; and brother, Raymond Tsutsumi.

Source: http://www.nichibei.org/2011/11/obituary-irene-yoshiko-tsutumi-saiki/