James Jungo Sugai

Jim was always a quietly useful worker at the California Native Plant Society Nursery. Originally he helped construct it and would come with his truck and mower to clean up around the nursery before our sales. He and Kik his wife always helped with the mailing. He was awarded by the San Jose parks for his volunteer work there and many of us in CNPS are hiking with the very special bamboo walking sticks which he made.
Thank you Jim, we miss you.

Jim was kind and generous. He made an inspiring difference in my life. I still have the bamboo walking stick he made for me 20 years ago. And the joy of native gardening. I felt honored to know him. Kate Jones

Jim was a trail maintenance volunteer who salvaged native plants that were in the trails. He would bring them to the Wildflower Show to display, and I was the lucky recipient of two large manroots from Jim at the end of the show. He was always cheerful, always helpful, always active. A great friend of nature and of humans.

I was so fortunate to meet Jim and Kik through CNPS in the 1990s, and to enjoy many encounters since at various events, my own home a few times in those early Gardening With Natives years and so on. Jim was the epitome of grace, wisdom, humor at no one's expense, teaching & enriching, and so much more. And like many others, I am also fortunate to have one of his handcrafted hiking staffs, which serves me very well. To Kik and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Georgia

I met Jim along the Los Gatos trail a few years ago. He was clearing ditches in the pouring rain. Watched this 90 year old man pull a large barrel full of mud and leaves up a steep hill and I was impressed. We stood and talked for quite awhile in the rain and he told me much of his life. Many meetings since through his giving back to his community. Last saw him, summer of 2015, trimming trees along the trail. Just a good, good man.

Mark and I send our love and hugs to each of you. We have heard the most wonderful stories about Jim through all of the years that George has been a part of our family; Kiyoshi and Reiko have also shared stories about their fun adventures out in California with Jim and Kik. My own experience with Jim was after he and other family members stayed at our house on the Cape, he left the nicest note that also included wise, ecologically-friendly advice about dealing with a tree that blocks our...

Kik, George, Linda, Kiyoshi, Reiko, and Jim's extended family: Chrissy and Rodrigo Carvajal extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. It has been abundantly clear through Betsy's stories and pictures that Jim filled every minute of life with creativity, hard work, and thoughtfulness toward others. We have been especially impressed with the close relationship Reiko and Kiyoshi held with their grandfather. A life well lived indeed.

Jim was kind, imaginative and young at heart; an unpretentious man who served his country, community and family well. We always enjoyed his company and anecdotes--and learning of the practical new uses to which he put all kinds of found objects. He lived his life to the full without complaint, and never let the grumbles of old age interfere with getting on with what needed or he wished to get done--a role model to us all! And what a family he and his beloved Kik raised! Who could ask for a...