IN LOVING MEMORY OF
George Yoshiharu
Kawaguchi
July 23, 1919 – August 1, 2010
Obituary
KAWAGUCHI, GEORGE YOSHIHARU, age 91passed away on August 1. Beloved brother of Mitsuo (Michiko) Kawaguchi and Terry (Sam) Mori of Illinois; uncle of Gayle (Dale) Hachiya, Tom (Marita) Kawaguchi, and Gary Kawaguchi, Carol (Steve) Sasano, Alan (Pam) Mori of Tennessee and Ron (Teresa) Mori of Illinois; also, survived by 8 grand-nieces and grand-nephews and other relatives.
George Yoshiharu Kawaguchi was born on July 23, 1919 in Costa Mesa, California. Uncle George was the oldest son of Hirokichi and Yasu Kawaguchi. He was a loving brother to Tsuruko, Mitsuo and Teruko. Together they were raised on a farm in Huntington Beach. He went to Huntington Beach Elementary and Huntington Beach High School, graduating in 1937. As a teenager he worked on the Kawaguchi farm which primarily consisted of celery, green beans, chili peppers and lima beans.
After Pearl Harbor, his family was relocated to Poston, Arizona. Block 37, Building 9A became the Kawaguchi home. Uncle George went to work as a truck driver in Naperville, Illinois to help support the family.
On July 10, 1944, Uncle George was inducted into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company E, where he saw action in Europe. He was a Sergeant and a rifleman who led his patrol to battle. His decorations included the European Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Uncle George spent his life farming with his brother, Mitsuo in Anaheim and Fountain Valley. In 1985, he retired from asparagus farming.
Uncle George was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of touring Japan. He cruised the Mexican Riviera, explored San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and took numerous trips to Las Vegas. In recent years, Uncle George has collected casino cards from Southern California. His greatest joy was attending Project Kokoro family events.
Uncle's personal goal was to reach 90 years old, but he surpassed this by celebrating his 91st birthday on July 23, 2010.
The next day, Uncle George was admitted to the hospital for progressive heart failure symptoms. The shower of birthday cards lifted his spirits. Throughout his hospitalization, Uncle George was concerned about his family's well being. He maintained his sense of humor. He passed away on August 1, 2010 surrounded by his family. We will miss his hearty laugh, his amazing stories and his thoughtful and caring ways.
Private funeral services were held on August 9, at Orange County Buddhist Church, officiated by Rev. Marvin Harada.
George Yoshiharu Kawaguchi was born on July 23, 1919 in Costa Mesa, California. Uncle George was the oldest son of Hirokichi and Yasu Kawaguchi. He was a loving brother to Tsuruko, Mitsuo and Teruko. Together they were raised on a farm in Huntington Beach. He went to Huntington Beach Elementary and Huntington Beach High School, graduating in 1937. As a teenager he worked on the Kawaguchi farm which primarily consisted of celery, green beans, chili peppers and lima beans.
After Pearl Harbor, his family was relocated to Poston, Arizona. Block 37, Building 9A became the Kawaguchi home. Uncle George went to work as a truck driver in Naperville, Illinois to help support the family.
On July 10, 1944, Uncle George was inducted into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company E, where he saw action in Europe. He was a Sergeant and a rifleman who led his patrol to battle. His decorations included the European Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Uncle George spent his life farming with his brother, Mitsuo in Anaheim and Fountain Valley. In 1985, he retired from asparagus farming.
Uncle George was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of touring Japan. He cruised the Mexican Riviera, explored San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and took numerous trips to Las Vegas. In recent years, Uncle George has collected casino cards from Southern California. His greatest joy was attending Project Kokoro family events.
Uncle's personal goal was to reach 90 years old, but he surpassed this by celebrating his 91st birthday on July 23, 2010.
The next day, Uncle George was admitted to the hospital for progressive heart failure symptoms. The shower of birthday cards lifted his spirits. Throughout his hospitalization, Uncle George was concerned about his family's well being. He maintained his sense of humor. He passed away on August 1, 2010 surrounded by his family. We will miss his hearty laugh, his amazing stories and his thoughtful and caring ways.
Private funeral services were held on August 9, at Orange County Buddhist Church, officiated by Rev. Marvin Harada.
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