Private memorial services for the late Kenichi Ken Namekata, 90-year-old, resident of Mission Viejo, who passed away on September 13, 2008, were held on Saturday, September 20 at Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, under the direction of Fukui Mortuary.

Kenichi was a long time resident of Riverside for over 50 years where he farmed with his brother, Shigeo before moving to Mission Viejo.

Predeceased by his brother, Shigeo Namekata and brother-in-law, Sam Shimozaki; he is survived by his beloved wife, Chiyoko Namekata; daughters, Shirley (Glenn) Tanaka, Janet (Keith) Kimura, and Annette (Dean) Namekata-Ozawa; grandchildren, Ken Tanaka, Kyle and Kera Kimura, Colin and Evin Ozawa; siblings, Chieko (Sam) Yamamoto, Kazuko Shimozaki, and Minoru (May) Namekata; he is also survived by other relatives.