Minoru Nitta

Nitta, Minoru
The second son of Shosuke and Taka Nitta, Min was born and raised in Santa Ana, and passed away surrounded by his family on June 15th at the age of 86. He was a graduate of Santa Ana High School and Santa Ana Community College, and finished college with a degree in Poultry Husbandry from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He loved sports and excelled in fast pitch softball as a pitcher. He married Fusaye Yamamoto in April 1942 just before they were both interned to Poston, Arizona during WWII. Returning to Santa Ana, Min devoted his time to raising his family and expanding Green Spear Farms with his father and two brothers. The Nitta family established themselves as one of the premier strawberry growers in Orange County. Maintaining the Nitta legacy and family tradition, Min was an active patron and leader in the community. He gave generously to the Santa Ana Boy's Club, and Santa Ana City Parks and Recreation. He was a co-founder of the Southwest Little League, was a coach and mentor to many young baseball players and was active in the Santa Ana College Booster Club. True to his life-long passion for sports he served as president of the Santa Ana Valley High School Booster Club, and Santa Ana College Quarterback Club, and was an avid supporter of the USC football scholarship program. In his later years he loved to golf, fish and spend time with his family. He is survived by his children, Larry Nitta, Gayle Myer and Corey, Kathy Nitta, Cheryl Nitta, John Kwan and Deborah; sister-in-law Toki Nitta; grandchildren, Nissa Myer, Corre Marie Myer, Lauren Kwan, and Aaron Kwan; in-laws May Ichikawa and Roy Yamamoto, and many nieces and nephews. A private service will be held at Fairhaven Cemetery at 9 am on Tuesday, June 21, 2005. His memorial service will be held later that afternoon at 4pm at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Ana. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Min's memory to the Boy's and Girl's Club of Santa Ana, or St. Joseph Health System Hospice.