Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
James Miyagishima Obituary
In 1957, James and Shizu moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where James began his career as the head chef for New Mexico State University for many years before moving on to open up Golden Dragon restaurant on Valley Blvd. From 1973 through 1977, James was the head chef for China Temple Chinese restaurant. He had a true love and passion for cooking and was well known for his catering and ice carving abilities. In November of 1977, James moved his family from Las Cruces to Los Angeles, CA to run another restaurant. In 1980, James ventured into the grocery store business, where he became part owner of Enbun Japanese Market in Little Tokyo until 2006.
James was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be deeply missed. James was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandchild Dakota James Roach. He is survived by his wife Shizu of 58 years, his son Jess of Covina, CA; daughter Mary (Gary) Sales of Hacienda Heights, CA; daughter Karen (Brian) Kinney of Victorville, CA, seven Grandchildren, Michelle and Jimmy Miyagishima of La Puente, CA; Erik (Collette) Roach of Corona, CA; Brandon and Dustin Roach of Apple Valley, CA; Joshua Sales of Hacienda Heights, CA; Dallas Kinney of Victorville, CA; and two great-granddaughters, Serena and Jasmine Miyagishima of La Puente, CA; two sisters, Shizue Mori and Kimiye Mizushima of Tokyo, Japan; two brothers, Kazuji Mike (Catalina) Miyagishima of Las Cruces, NM, and Yuji Miyagishima of Honolulu, HI.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM till 9:00 PM Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Covina Hills, CA. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Covina Hills, CA. Officiating will be Pastor Kelly of Faith Community Church. Casket Bearers will be Mayor Kenneth D. Miyagishima, Jess Miyagishima, James A. Miyagishima, Gary Sales, Brian Kinney, and Erik Roach.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Miyagishima
Debra Crabtree
June 19, 2008
Ohayou Gozaimasu Mr. Miyagishima,
Thank you for giving the world such a wonderful family. I am so happy that my husband worked with Mary's husband, which led our families to become great friends. Your memory will live on forever in our hearts and one day we will see you again. God Bless.
Lisa Lopez
June 17, 2008
Mr James,
Although I never had the opportunity to meet you...I feel like I knew you. Your wonderful daughter Mary has become my sister by HEART. I am so proud to have her and the rest of your family in my life. May you rest in PEACE with our LORD and Savior JESUS.
Mary Sales
June 16, 2008
Happy Birthday Daddy!! You would've been 84 today (6/16). We all miss you so much!! We promise to watch over mom for you. Until we meet again............I LOVE YOU!!
Karen Kinney
June 15, 2008
Our first Father's Day without you : (
Miss you dad.
Karen
Karen Kinney ( Miyagishima )
June 13, 2008
Thank you everyone, for sharing the wonderful memories you have of my dad. I always knew my father was special, but thought it was just a little girl loving her daddy, wholeheartedly. I had no idea the impact he had on so many lives, it's amazing!! Thank you.
I love you daddy, I miss you, please watch over us.
Please Lord, mend our broken hearts. Thank you Lord, for so many wonderful years with dad. Thank you daddy, for all the memories.
I am finally at peace now, knowing you are with Dakota.
I am at peace now, knowing you are no longer suffering.
Until I see you again.....
Your "chibi" Karen
James Anthony Miyagishima
June 12, 2008
To my dear Aunt Shizu and my first cousins; There were many people who loved my Uncle James, to include me and my family. I will miss his talks and many teachings over the past 50+ years. I felt so close to him, even though we lived so far apart. The nice part about getting together was we always made up for the time lost. I will miss him very much. May God Bless you Auntie, and my Uncle's large family. With all my Love, James Anthony Miyagishima, Iris and Kaitland Kazuko.
Karen Honikel Drexler
June 12, 2008
"Mr. Jimmey" as I remember him, was to this 15 year old a master on how to work HARD, FAST, CORRECTLY, and SHARPLY. I have carried these lessons in my heart for the last 48 years, when I waited on the "Head Table" with Doctor and Mrs. Corbett. I have passed this knowledge on to my three childen. They don't make men like him anymore. He is One of the kind we need.
Tomas C Chavez
June 9, 2008
Like so many others I was one of Jimmy's food service veterans in high school and college. It was Jimmy who introduced us to the many delights of gourmet cooking from the preparation to the serving, while at the same time making it possible to have a job that would get us through school. Yet it was the professionalism that he instilled in us that lives on today in our careers far removed from Milton and Corbett. Jimmy you will be missed.
ROSA COVARRUBIA
June 4, 2008
"Jimmy" is how I knew him; I was 16 working at Milton Hall Cafeteria at NMSU. I worked with him for 4 years. He was so good and wonderful to me; I admired him deeply. I used to love the "Sweet and Sour Pork" he used to make for banquets. I used to try and sneak around behind him while he was cooking and grab a few of the delicious pork morsels and he pretended to show dismay. He made an enormous impact on this young woman who is now 60 years young. Once in a while someone makes a huge impact in your life and he surely did. Rosa Lucero Covarrubia
Clara M Hoffer
June 4, 2008
So sorry to hear about James (Jimmy's) passing. I worked in the same food service department at NMSU from September 1965 to May of 1970. Jimmy was a great chef and a great joy to be around. The high school students and college kids we used to hire to help out with the large banquet's adored this man. May he rest in peace and my heartfelt sympathy to the family. Clara
Tim & Jan Timmons
June 4, 2008
Jimmy was a wonderful person. He was the hardest working, most dedicated individual we have ever known. We enjoyed working with him and learned a lot from him, not just food preparation, but about life and values. He was one of those true friends you will never forget. Our thoughts and prayers are with "Suzie" and the rest of the family. We are sorry for your loss and wish we could be at the funeral. We will always celebrate Jimmy's life rather than mourn his death. May God be with you. Tim & Jan
Shirley Clark
June 4, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go to Mike Miyagishima on the loss of his brother.
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
Make a Donation
in James Miyagishima's name
Memorial Events
for James Miyagishima
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Miyagishima's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
