WESTLAKE VILLAGE
Tsugio Hiji
1923-2014

Tsugio Hiji, age 91, was born on June 12, 1923, in Inglewood, CA and passed away peacefully on November 7, 2014 in Westlake Village, CA, surrounded by his family.

Tsugio was the second child of eight, born to Saheiji and Emi Hiji. He attended Wiseburn Elementary School and Leuzinger High School through 1942. World War II began during his senior year and consequently, he was unable to graduate, because in April of 1942, his family was ordered to move to the Santa Anita Assembly Center. There, a hastily converted horse stall at the racetrack was to become their home.

Six months later, the Hiji family was able to leave the assembly center to fulfill a sugar beet farming contract for the government, in Longmont, Colorado. They eventually settled in Fort Lupton, Colorado and stayed there until 1947.

After returning to Los Angeles in early 1947, Tsugio attended LA City College, then entered UCLA with dreams of becoming a dentist. After one semester, his father had him return home to help the family with farming. In 1950, his family made their next move to Oxnard, CA where they would begin their first farming venture in Ventura County.

Tsugio later started Hiji Brothers, and continued the business for over 50 years with his brothers, Frank and Robert. They grew celery and other vegetables, growing their business to eventually expand into other affiliated businesses such as Cal-Cel Marketing, Inc., Seaview Growers, Inc., and a John Deere tractor dealership, Cal-Coast Machinery, Inc. Today, Hiji Brothers continues under the guidance of their sons.

On November 22, 1952, Tsugio married Betty Tamiko Arimura, and they settled in Oxnard, where they raised their four children, LuAnn, Kenji, Doris and Donald. In 1979, they moved to Westlake Village, where they lived out the rest of their lives. Tsugio and Betty enjoyed 60 years of marriage, until Betty's passing in October of 2013.

Tsugio's hobbies included fishing, golfing, watching sports, and traveling. He and his brothers have been Dodger and Lakers season ticket holders since the 60's. In later years, he enjoyed traveling with family and spending time with his grandchildren.

Tsugio was predeceased by his parents, Saheiji and Emi Hiji, wife, Betty Hiji, and sister, Alice Hisako Yokoyama. He is survived by his children LuAnn (David) Shudo, Kenji (Akiko) Hiji, Doris (Clifford) Kotake, and Donald (Alice) Hiji; grandchildren, Justin, Tachi, Miko Shudo, Sachi, Kimi, Mina Hiji, Paige, Taylor, and Jaycie Kotake. He is also survived by siblings Hisao Bob (Hisako) Hiji, Chiyoko Nishimori, Lily (Frank) Sawai, Mae (Shogo) Kanamori, Frank (Betty) Hiji, Robert (Harriet) Hiji.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple, 250 South "H" Street, Oxnard, CA 93030.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oxnard Buddhist Temple.