Fred Morio Yasukochi Sr.

Fred Yasukochi Obituary

Yasukochi, Fred Morio
Our Dad, Fred Morio Yasukochi, Sr., passed away on June 13, 2009, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. The youngest son of Kiso and Tomo Yasukochi, Dad was born on March 5, 1920 in Garden Grove, California.
A graduate of the University of California at Davis, Dad - like thousands of other patriotic Nisei Japanese Americans - volunteered to serve in the United States Army during World War II as a member of the 100th Infantry / 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated fighting unit in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. With the 442nd RCT, Dad saw combat in Italy, France and Germany. Toward the war's end, he would help free victims of the Dachau death camp, an experience he was later asked to recount in David Notowitz's documentary, "Voices of the Shoah".
After the war, Dad helped reestablish the family farm in San Marcos, California. Later, he worked for, and ultimately become president and CEO of the Ramirez & Feraud Chile Co., the pioneer Ventura County manufacturer of Las Palmas brand products. Highly active in the Ventura business community, Dad was a longtime member of the Downtown Lions Club, and served for many years as a member of the Ventura County Fair Board, to which he was appointed by then-Governor Ronald Reagan.
Dad was a leader in the Buddhist Church and served as President of the Buddhist Churches of America, and was honored in 1997 as a Japanese-American community "Pioneer" at the Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles.
Dad is survived by Jane, his loving wife of 63 years, their daughter Dale; their sons, Fred Jr. and his wife Claudia Gilman; Dennis and his wife Lynne Goodrich; Bruce and his wife Cathy Wilson; David and his wife Colleen; and eleven grandchildren - each of whom he was extremely proud - Therese, Joshua Spooner, Emily, Ellison, Rachel, Bryan, Risa, Rose, Cayla , Robert and Jayson, and many, many nieces and nephews. He was our hero, and we shall miss him dearly.
Memorial Service will be held on Mon. June 29, 2009 11:00 a.m. at Oxnard Buddhist Church, 250 S. "H" Street, Oxnard, CA under the direction of Fukui Mortuary, www.fukuimortuary.com 213-626-0441.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Jun. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Fred Yasukochi

4 Entries

July 13, 2009

I met Fred back in the 1960s when he was the Pres. of Rameriz & Feraud Chili Co. in Ventura & I was the Administrative Asst. to Ned Thomason VP & Manager at Security Pacific Natl Bank in downtown Ventura. I learned to admire & respect Fred. He always brightened up my day when he came in. I went to my first Obon Festival at Fred's invitation and loved it. I went every year for a long time. When I first met my husband, Tony Flores (isn't it odd they died only 1 day apart?)and I introduced them. Tony was immediately impressed when I told him the unit Fred had served with in Germany, because Tony knew all about his unit. Tony had been in the army and was in Germany as soon as the war was over. He had seen the camps Fred had helped liberate, and of course had heard of the bravery of Fred's unit. Tony always said the army used the unit almost as "shock troops". When we had our restaurant "Tony's Steak & Seafood" I meet his wife Jane, because Fred & Jane would come in sometimes. Jane, I am so sorry to hear of Fred's passing He was a true hero and a man of many talents. I am sorry I did not know of Fred's death until last week, but with Tony's death & memorial service I did not keep up with the paper as I usually do. I will always remember Fred's great sense of humor and warmth. At Christmas time he used to bring See's Candy to the bank employees. I always got a special box of almond brittle which he called Yasukochi Brittle for Lyn. I think of him every Holiday season & my special candy. Bless you and your family, Jane.

Nancy Cole

June 24, 2009

We feel so fortunate to have had Fred and Jane as our neighbors for more than 10 years. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family Jane - Fred was a wonderful person who we were lucky to know.

Love,
Jim, Nancy & Kelsey Cole

Bob & Carol Padgett

June 23, 2009

Jane and family, our prayers are with you. I knew Fred as a caring guy. We served in the Lions Club together. I enjoyed his sense of humor.

June 22, 2009

Fred was a great man in many ways. The obituary listed only a few. I was proud to have known him. My condolences to his fine family.

Ron Rose

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