HARRY HONDA

Harry Mitsuo Honda, age 101, of Fowler, CA, passed away on November 6, 2016. He was born on April 27, 1915, the third son of eleven children born to Yakichi and Okazu Honda. Harry resided in Fowler for most of his life, except for the war years which were spent in the Gila River concentration camp. Then he and his wife Miyo left the camp and moved to Chicago, IL, for a few years. Returning to Fowler, he operated Honda's Garage and Auto Parts with his older brother Yoshio from 1954 until retiring at the age of 93, when the garage was closed. Always embracing a healthy lifestyle and every positive outlook on life, Harry was a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan, he enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and the world with his wife and friends, was active in Central California Judo; the Japanese American Citizens League; Fowler Senior Center; and the Buddhist Church of Fowler. With a sparkle in his eyes and wide smile, Honda enjoyed the penny slots and was an award winning ballroom dancer for many years. Harry was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Becky; his wife Miyo; his parents; and eight siblings. He is survived by his son Craig and wife Tayoko; daughters, Laureen Uyematsu and husband David, and Lynn Nakashima and husband Mitch; sisters, Dorothy Ono, and Marie Maeda; eight grandchildren, Derek and wife Yim, Travis and wife Leslie, Blake, Rex, Jared and wife Alina, Stacy, Ryan and wife April, and Gregg; two great-grandchildren, Camden Nakashima, and Verona Honda; brothers-in-law, George and Hideaki Tanaka, and Jim Yanagihara; sisters-in-law, Iku Honda, Sue Tanaka, and Jane Nagata; and many nieces and nephews in the United States and Japan. Harry's final years were spent at the Central California Nikkei Community's Vintage Gardens residence where he enjoyed the friendship and companionship of so many long time friends. In September of this year, he was honored at the Buddhist Church of Fowler's Keiro, Senior Citizen Day, as the oldest church member. The family would like to thank the staff of Vintage Gardens; Hinds Hospice; and Harry's many friends and family for making Harry's journey in life such a very special and grateful one. A Memorial Service will be held at the Buddhist Church of Fowler, located at 210 South 9th St., Fowler, CA, on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements by Lisle Funeral Home