SUZUKI, George Edwin
March 6, 1920-May 25, 2016
In Memoriam of Colonel George Suzuki 1920-2016

We give thanks and celebrate the life of Colonel George E. Suzuki. George Edwin Suzuki was born March 6, 1920 to Kenkichi Suzuki and Yoshiko Matsuda Suzuki in Santa Paula, CA. He and his younger sister June grew up on in Los Angeles on Hobart Street. A very good student and athlete during his youth, George attended local schools and graduated from Los Angeles High School. He enrolled and graduated as a pre-med student from UCLA in 1942. In December, after the war broke out, he was released from camp to pursue a medical career and attended the University of Chicago, Illinois. In 1944, George was drafted into the US Army and entered basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Because of his college degree, he was sent to Ft. Snelling, Minnesota for Military Intelligence Service (MIS) training in Japanese language interpretation and in the following year was admitted into Officer Candidate School, Infantry, at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In November of 1945 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Infantry, and in early 1946 transferred into the 441st Counterintelligence Corps (CIC).
For the next 26 years George remained in the US Army MIS as a counter-intelligence officer where he was promoted to the rank of Colonel after a decorated career that spanned the globe with assignments in Japan, Germany, Okinawa, New York, Los Angeles, the Ryuku Islands, Maryland and other locations. His several awards, medals and citations include: Bronze Star Medal (1952), Army Commendation Medals with 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster (1965 & 1968), Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster (1972).
Colonel Suzuki retired in 1972 after 28 years of service and returned to Orange County, California. He was an avid golfer, reader, scotch drinker, and cigar & pipe smoker. He continued to play golf 3 days a week, carrying his own clubs into his early 80's and was still playing regularly into his early 90's. He was a quiet and private man with many military stories that could never be told.
George passed away peacefully at his residence in Corona del Mar on May 25, just days before Memorial Day. A private grave-site service was held on June 16, 2016 at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar. He is survived by his 3 nieces, 2 nephews (and their spouses): Jan Kawamura-Kay (Jeffrey), Kathrine Corliss (Samuel), A.G. Kawamura (Dianne), Matthew Kawamura (Jeana), Julia Kawamura; as well as his 10 grand nieces and nephews: Derek, Yvonne, Paul, Sarah, Vander, Carrie, Sandra, Philip, Madeline and Leonardo. His family holds him in their hearts with love and gratitude. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial contribution be made to the VALOR (Veteran's Agricultural Learning Opportunities and Resources) program, which teaches veterans how to be farmers. Please send your donation to Solutions For Urban Agriculture. 11405 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, CA 92602 (designated for the VALOR program).