It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Howard Keno Kumashiro, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. On the morning of May 4, 2026, Howard peacefully passed away at his home in Long Beach, California to join his wife, Jean T. Kumashiro at their heavenly resting place.

Howard Keno Kumashiro was born on December 13, 1930, in Auburn Washington to Shigeo and Haruko Kumashiro. Howard attended elementary school in Thomas, Washington until 1942, the commencement of World War II. After the order was given to have all persons of Japanese ancestry be placed in internment camps, the Kumashiro Family (Shigeo, Haruko, Myrtle, Mae, Howard and Alice) were sent to the Pinedale Assembly Center in Fresno, a few months later they were sent to the Tule Lake, California Relocation Center. Howard spent 7th grade in Tule Lake. In 1943 the Kumashiro Family was once again relocated. This time to a camp at Heart Mountain, Wyoming where they stayed until the end of WWII. Upon release from the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in the fall of 1945, the Kumashiro Family boarded a train to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they spent the next 5 years renting a small house and some land to grow crops to sell at the local market. After 5 difficult years of farming and barely making ends meet in New Mexico, Shigeo and his Family made the difficult decision to move to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Shigeo worked as a gardener, Haruko found work as a housekeeper, and Howard got a union job at the Angeles Furniture MFG Company.

In the fall of 1951, Howard was drafted into the Army to serve his country in the Korean War. After completing his basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey, California, he boarded a naval ship to Japan followed by a short trip to Korea via a merchant marine vessel. In Korea, Howard was assigned to be an honor guard for the General, but when the General was transferred, he was reassigned to a fighting combat unit. In 1953, Howard was wounded in action while engaged in a firefight during “The Battle of Triangle Hill”, earning him a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge. During this epic battle, 365 US soldiers would be killed, and another 1,174 US soldier would be wounded. Howard spent the next 5 months in various hospitals recovering from a gunshot wound and shrapnel damage to his leg. When released from the hospital, Howard spent the remaining 3 months of his military commitment working as a clerk typist with the “courts and board” and was honorably discharged in June of 1953.

In the Fall of 1953, Howard used his GI Bill to pursue his Chemistry degree at Cal State Los Angeles. After earning his degree, Howard worked for The County of Los Angeles as a Lab Technologist, where he faithfully served the public at Harbor General Hospital for over 30 years.

In 1959, Howard met Jean Fujikawa, a beautiful young woman from Long Beach, California. The young couple fell head over heels in love, and, after a whirlwind romance, they got married on October 14, 1961 at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Long Beach. Nine months later, on July 17, 1962, they would celebrate the birth of their first child “Michael Thomas”. Even though life was hectic for the young couple, they still had enough energy to welcome their second child “Kathleen Marie” into the world on July 24, 1963. Throughout the decade, Howard and Jean would continue to grow their family. By the time “Cecily Maureen” was born, they would have a total of seven wonderful children to fill their days with joy and laughter.

Howard is survived by his sister Alice Kajiya and his 7 children (Michael, Kathy Wamsley, Carole Kiker, John, Steve, Kristy Hawman and Cecily Swanson). He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren (Alana, Duncan, Madeleine, Sam, Josh, Mason, Max, Jeremy, Hannah and Faith). On Apil 13, 2026 he was blessed with his first great grandchild, Elizabeth Grace Lee.

On June 6, 2026, Howard K. Kumashiro will be laid to rest at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach.