Mitsuo Sanbonmatsu

Mitsuo Sanbonmatsu, 83, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at his Arroyo Grande home.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Arroyo Grande Cemetery.

Mits was born Dec. 1, 1920, to Yoshimitsu and Teru Tsuchiya Sanbonmatsu and raised in Holtville, Calif. As a youth he helped operate the family farm and care for his younger siblings with his oldest sister. He attended UCLA before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Following the war, he married Nami Kobara and moved to her hometown of Arroyo Grande. He farmed vegetables for 40 years in the Oceano and Santa Maria valleys. After retiring, he pursued his passion for art. His prints of landscapes, cats and other animals were featured in galleries and art shows throughout the Western States. In addition to being a gifted artist, Mits was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed golf, fishing, photography and skiing. He was a member of the SLO Production Credit Association and served the community in a variety of roles, including one on the County Grand Jury.

Mits is survived by his sons, Keith and wife Jamie and David and wife Trudee; grandchildren, Ashley, Ariann, Katie and Brooke; brothers, Kozo, Yoshiya, Yoshiro, Akira; and all their families.

His beloved Nami passed away in November of last year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of San Luis Obispo County.

Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel of Grover Beach.