Kozo George Hamanaka (September 24, 1921 – April 11, 2017)

Kozo George Hamanaka passed away peacefully on April 11, 2017, after a short illness. Kozo was born on Terminal Island, San Pedro, on September 24, 1921, to Shozaburo and Kimiye. The family earned a living running a hotel and grocery store with their most famous deliveries to The Pantry restaurant. The successful businesses were interrupted by the outbreak of WWII when the family was sent to Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Kozo served in the Army and volunteered for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).

After camp, Ko graduated from LA Trade Technical College and went to work as an appliance repairman, specializing in TV repair, for Tamura and Company. While at Tamura's, he met his future wife Lucy and they married in 1953. Feeling the itch to be his own boss, he started Ko's TV and Appliance Service in the 1960s.

In 1964, Ko and Lucy settled in Monterey Park and raised their family. In addition to his love of ballroom dancing, Ko loved the ocean where he would take the family clam digging (Pismo and little neck clams), abalone hunting and surf and deep sea fishing. Another activity for the Hamanakas was their annual cherry and warabi picking excursions with family and friends.

Kozo is survived by his wife, Lucy; children, Glenn (Teresa Itokazu) Hamanaka, Gail (Patrick) Hamanaka-Reinig and Keith (Grecia) Hamanaka; grandchildren, David and Traci Hamanaka and Kelly (Christopher) Bolan; great-grandchildren, Jack, Brayden and Luke Bolan; brother, Ken (Cherri) Hamanaka; sister-in-law, Velma Hamanaka; and many other relatives.

A private graveside family service was held at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Cherry Blossom Lawn on June 3, 2017.