Masami Arita

MASAMI ARITA Masami was born in Reedley, CA on March 7,1912, to Yoshi and Shosuke Arita. He passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, in Reedley, CA. In 1922 the Arita family moved to Sanger and were owners of the Star Restaurant. Masami attended grammar school and high school in Sanger, where he enjoyed being a member of the football and baseball teams. Throughout his youth he was a Boy Scout, attaining the level of Eagle Scout. During WWII the family was relocated to Gila River Interment Camp #2 in Arizona. During the war he was able to move to Ohio where he went to vocational training to become a welder. After receiving his certificate as an arc welder he moved to Detroit, MI. It was during his stay in Detroit where he met Barbara Tsuyuki at a church function, and he claimed Barbara was the "nicest Japanese girl in Detroit". They were married on December 8, 1945. After WWII Masami and Barbara returned to Sanger to restart the family's restaurant. In 1955 he began a new venture as a farmer, and purchasing their home on Ross Avenue in Sanger, where they resided for 49 years. In addition to enjoying farming he also enjoyed fishing, photography, traveling and following the San Francisco Giants. He was a member of many different organizations in Sanger, including the Sanger YMA, which became the Sanger JACL, where he was president for two terms: he was secretary of the Sanger unit of Sunmaid Raisins, and a member of Sanger Farm Bureau where he served as secretary treasurer for multiple years. Masami was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Sumiye, Mitsuye and Yuki; and his brother Isao. Masami is survived by his wife, Barbara Arita; his sisters, Yoshie Domoto and Masaie Yamamoto, and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home on Thursday, September 8, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Sanger Methodist Church. WALLIN FUNERAL HOMESSanger, CA 875-6555