George Yamane

George YAMANE Born June 11, 1923 and died peacefully on July 31, 2002 in Seattle at the age of 79. George was born and raised in Tacoma until, at age 13, he went to live in Japan to take care of his grandmother. The most difficult period of his life occurred when World War II started in 1941. He decided to stay in Japan to continue caring for his grandmother but, as an U.S. citizen in Japan, he worried about his family in America and, also, what would happen to him in Japan. Food and material resources were very scarce and he almost died from illness. In 1947, he graduated from Tokyo University with a degree in Civil Engineering. George returned to Seattle in 1948. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War in 1951. He received his masters degree at the UW in 1955 and, shortly afterward, started work at Shannon & Wilson until he retired in 1992. George and his wife Charlotte just celebrated their 45th anniversary and are very proud of their four sons. Their youngest son, Mark, was killed in action while serving with the Army Rangers at Grenada in 1983. George was much loved by his family. He always encouraged his sons to "do their best" and to "never give up". He was a good role model of the values he lived by - "God first, others second, myself last". He was the unofficial family spokesman for the extended Yamane family and could always be counted on to bring a sense of calm, warmth, and order in difficult situations. George was a well-liked and much-respected man at work and in the community. He was an engineer and vice-president at Shannon and Wilson and was awarded the Washington State Engineer of the Year award in 1990. He was a faithful member of Japanese Baptist Church, serving as Moderator several years and led the effort to build a new sanctuary in 1985. He served as Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 53 and Assistant Scoutmaster for Scout Troop 53 and received the Silver Beaver award in honor of his leadership to the Scouting program. He was a loyal member of the Nisei Veterans Committee, serving as Commander and other positions of service for several years. Most recently, he led the effort to rename the Federal Courthouse in Seattle and a new medical/dental clinic in Ft. Lewis after Medal of Honor recipients William Nakamura and James Okubo. He was the founder and president of the NVC Karaoke Club. He was the Yamaguchi-ken President for several years. His favorite pastimes include singing, golf, and gardening. He is survived by wife, Charlotte Yamane; sons, Curtis (Juliette) Yamane, Jeffrey (Susie) Yamane, and Craig (Dixie) Yamane; grandchildren Lindsey, Marissa, Devon, Mark, and Alexa; brother, Tonney (Naomi) Yamane; sister, Nobuyo Yamane; sister in law, Masaye Yamane; brother in law and sister in law, Vince and Sue Torossian, nephews and nieces, Frank (Janet) Fujitani, Paul (Joanne) Hirose, Susan (Hank) Anderson, Dudley (Sue) Yamane, Ernie (Gail) Yamane, Michiko Yamane, Kimiko Yamane, Kazuyo (Kyunosuke) Yamane, Yoshiko Yamane, Tim Thatcher, Bobbie Hirahara, and Bruce (Shirley) Hirahara; and 13 grand nephews and nieces. He was pre- ceded in death by son, Mark Yamane; brothers, Kazuo Yamane and Dick Yamane; sisters and brothers in law, Matsuye and Takashi Fujitani, Sadako and Kinzo Hirose; brother in law and sister in law, Davis and Chiz Hirahara; brother in law, Kazunori Yamane; and niece, Kathryn Hirose. A Viewing will be held at Butterworth-Arthur Wright Funeral Home, Wednesday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 7 p.m. at the Japanese Baptist Church, 160 - Broadway, Seattle, WA., 98122. A private Burial will be held at the Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Japanese Baptist Church or the Nisei Veterans Committee, 1212 - S. King St., Seattle WA, 98144. Arrangements by Butterworth-Arthur Wright Funeral Home, 520 - W. Raye St., Seattle, (206) 622-0949.