For nearly 75 years, life gave him lemons so he made lemonade, specifically his favorite - Arnold Palmers. Ronald Youichi Doizaki was born in Santa Maria, California on December 13, 1941, oldest son to Nobuye "Marie" and Joji "George" Doizaki. He was a Japanese-American Sansei who spent the majority of his life fighting illnesses and physical ailments. As a youth, doctors told him he would not live past his teen years. When both of his kidneys failed, his body rejected his sister, Eileen's donated kidney in 1977 forcing him to undergo hours of painful dialysis every other day for a year till the successful transplant of his brother, Ernie's kidney that continued to function flawlessly up to his final day. In 1985 an artificial heart valve was implanted via open-heart surgery. Initially designed to last only 10 years, it continued to perform for over 30 years. Throughout all these ailments & setbacks Ronald persevered, he took precious care of his body and strived to enjoy every moment of life he was given. Two years ago he experienced a new series of illnesses and surgeries; although his spirit was willing, his body finally gave in, thus Ronald passed away peacefully at home in Glendale, California on October 21, 2016.

Ronald loved to watch sports. He graduated from Woodbury University but had a special affinity for USC Trojan football and to collect rare stamps & coins. Married for over 53 years, he is survived by his wife, Kazuko; his son's family – James, (Fumie), Jeffrey, Bradley and Allison; his daughter's family – Kristine, (Masayoshi) and Katharine; and siblings – Ernie, Karen, and Eileen.

Per Ronald's wishes, a private funeral service was held on October 27, 2016 at Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Ronald prefers donations made to the JACCC, (244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, www.jaccc.org ) where he served on the Board of Directors, or to the American Kidney Fund (P.O. Box 1837, Merrifield, VA 22116, www.kidneyfund.org ).