Kojiro Francis Kawaguchi

1921 - 2010

Kojiro Francis Kawaguchi of Woodbridge, CA passed away October 6, 2010 at the age of 89 years. Kojiro was born April 28, 1921 in San Francisco, CA. After graduating from Commerce High School he attended UC Berkeley where he received his bachelor's degree. When WWII broke out he was briefly interned at Topaz Relocation Camp in Utah before he joined the U.S. Army Military Intelligence (MIS). After the war he relocated to Southern California where he received his Master's Degree from the University of Southern California. Shortly after he started his long career with the Los Angeles City School District from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. During his retirement years he was active with several Japanese American groups and helped erect the Go For Broke Memorial in Los Angeles honoring all the Japanese Americans who had served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. He moved back to Northern California to be closer to family in 2001 and to finish work on his book.
Kojiro is survived by his wife of 57 years, Michiko, his two sons Bruce (Katherine) of Woodbridge, CA and Brian (Deborah) of Benton City, WA, 9 grand children Brent (Loyce), Nathan (Christine), Trina (Alex), Megan, Adam, Paul, Neil, Maria, and Luisa. His extended family includes 2 step grand children and a total of 8 great grand children. He also has three surviving sisters Jane Imura, Midori (George) Goto, and Mary (Aji) Uchiyama.
He is preceded in death by his parents Tetsuzo & Kaori Kawaguchi and sisters Margaret and Yuki.
A memorial service will be held Saturday October 16, 2010 2:00 pm at the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church at 6929 Franklin Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95823, (916) 421-1017.
The family is respectfully asking that considerations for flowers or gifts be sent in his memory as a donation to the Go For Broke National Education Center, P.O. Box 2590, Gardena, CA 90247.