James Saburo Awaya, Honolulu, Hawaii-born Kibei Nisei resident of Gardena, California, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2009 at age 77.
He is survived by his wife Yoko Awaya; daughters Mary (Jay) Tahata and Patricia (Jay) Takata; grandson Kenji Tahata; sisters Yoshiye Awaya, Helen Yamamura and Kazuko (Hiromi) Ueda (Japan); nephews Henry Awaya and Edward (Fay) Awaya; and many other relatives here and in Japan.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 20, at 7 p.m. at Gardena Buddhist Church (1517 W. 166th Street, Gardena).