Takaichi Yamaguchi

Takaichi Tak Yamaguchi passed away peacefully on Monday, July 30, 2007. He was the first born child of Takamatsu and Mikiyo Yamaguchi, immigrants from Hiroshima, Japan, on February 4, 1917, in Los Gatos, California. Several years later they moved to Fresno. They farmed with eight children. Takamatsu risked his savings to purchase a 40 acre farm in 1938. Tak attended McKinley Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1934, where he was a trophy wining tennis champion. He worked as a house boy and attended Polytechnic College in Oakland, California. A farming accident caused the death of his father. Suddenly Tak became head of household at age 23. He gave up his college dream and returned to Fresno to care for his mother, seven siblings and the farm. In 1942, due to World War II, the family was relocated to internment camp for the Japanese in Jerome and Rohwer, Arkansas. In 1943, his mother passed away. While in Rohwer, he met Toshie Kumamoto of Gardena, California, and they were married in 1945. Tak and Toshie returned to Fresno in September of 1945, and began to rebuild the farm. They had three sons, Kent, Ronald, and David. In reality, Tak and Toshie actually raised two families, that of his siblings as well his own young sons. Tak's job resume included Yam's Radio Repair Shop, Yamaguchi Electrical Contractor. He was one of the few Japanese Americans to pass the electrical exam to become a State of California Electrical Contractor. He retired, then started a new phase of life by working for Fresno County and State of California as a building inspector. Meanwhile, he depended on Toshie to guide the three sons to graduate college and managed a prosperous farm until her passing in 1983. Tak continued his education at night, and earned his associate arts degree from Fresno City College. He was proud of serving for one year as a Fresno County Grand Juror. In 1985, Tak married Hide Tateoka Nii. After retiring as civil servant, Tak returned to his roots and joined Hide to continue to work hard on the farm. Priorites changed and Tak sold the farm, so he could enjoy more of his time with Hide. His happy moments were traveling around the world with Hide and time with his grandchildren. The family wishes to especially thank the wonderful medical providers including Dr. Dennis Nakata, Dr.Thomas Hackett, Dr. Steve Su, Dr. A.P.S. Sidhu, Dr. Carolyn Sakauye and Pacific Gardens and San Joaquin Rehabilitation Center. He is survived by Hide, his wife of over 22 years; sons, Kent and his wife Joyce of Fresno, Ronald and his wife Sheila of Los Angeles and David of Fresno; grandsons, Jason and his wife Penny of Las Vegas, Mark of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kent, Jr. and Toshia Ann of Fresno; great-grandson, Michael of Las Vegas; brothers, Tsuyoshi of Fowler, Arthur and his wife Darlene of Lancaster; sisters, Clara and her husband Masuo Kumamoto of Cerritos, Ann and her husband Dale Rumbaugh of Bend, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Lisle Funeral Home, Friday, August 10, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the Fresno Buddhist Temple, 1340 Kern St. Fresno, on Saturday, August 11, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. (559) 442-4054.