Raymond Takeshi Ishikata

Wow! It's been 15 years since Ray passed. We started as friends at Portola Junior High. I'll always remember him with a broad happy smile. We played basketball together, often as opposing guards. Along with Andy Picetti, Jeff Hirano and a host of others we were friends through ECHS, and like so many of us, lost touch after high school. RIP Ray, and everlasting condolences to his family and fellow friends.

Words cannot express the feelings of love and friendship which brought many to Ray's service. I will never forget Ray; he had that laid back body position, a broad smile and infectious laugh. After many years I can still remember being his baseball buddy--he threw many time to me at 3rd, his ability to blow by me in basketball games, lunch time card games--poker and hearts, and his funky dance steps to Mowtown. My sincere condolences to Nancy, Yuji, Jared and Akemi. God Bless Ray and his...

Ray was my "pizza" eatin buddy, as we hurried to Red Vest pizza, stuffed our face, then hauled butt, back to campus before the bell rang. Very fond memories indeed. I grew up with Ray since Castro Elementary. I wish I stayed in contact with him through these years. Life is so precious. My prayers to his family. He will be greatly missed.

To hear of Ray’s passing was truly a sad day. As Jeff and Randall already stated, Ray was our poker, hearts, basketball, street football, baseball companion and a good friend. His easy going manner made him a joy to be around.

To the Ishikata family, please accept my deepest sympathies.

Ray will be missed. I will remember him most for his quick smile and easy going personality. These are qualities that I saw in him since grade school at Castro. My sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Nancy, Yuji, Jared and Kelly.

This is tremendously sad news about Ray. He was truly a "ray" of bright light, always possessing an easy smile and a warm and often humorous word. My prayers go out to his family; I remember him fondly...

I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Ray's passing. We had a lot of good times. Ray was the catcher on our youth baseball team. He wasn't Johnny Bench, but he was very entertaining to watch. I remember him falling to his knees making that long throw to second base. Despite that, Ray even threw out some runners -- really slow runners. Win or lose, Ray was always smiling.

I will remember him for his laugh, his smile and his amiable personality.

My deepest sympathies to his family...

This is sad news indeed. I remember Ray from our days at Portola,
playing basketball, etc. together (usually over at Harding or sometimes at Ray's house) with Andy Picetti, Jim Wisener, Randy Chinn, Terry Yow and several others. I think Ray and I were usually around the last picked (these other guys were *athletes* and had skills!) and ended up guarding each other. Those were some fun times.

We also had some good times playing poker together with his brother Glenn. I always...

I am so sorry to hear about Ray. We were part of a group of friends in junior high & high school. Although Ray was a little shy, we all enjoyed his sense of humor and kindness.