George Kanzo Kobayashi
May 28, 1931 - June 20, 2020
Resident of San Jose
George was born in Sacramento, California to Frank and Masako Kobayashi. George was 10 years old when World War II began, the United States Government made a decision to place all Japanese Americans into internment camps. George and his family were sent to Tule Lake, California. George and his family lived in the internment camp for 3 years.
George enlisted into the Marines, he served in the Korean War and honorably discharged at rank of Sergeant in 1954, he then attended the University of California Berkeley. He majored in English and History, graduating in 1957. He then went on to graduate studies in Library Science at San Jose State University.
George worked as a Librarian for the City of San Jose. In 1965 George opened the Hillview Branch Library in East San Jose. In the first 3 months of the library's opening George and his staff issued 3,000 library cards, higher than the main downtown branch. George was fluent in 5 languages which helped him reach out to all members in the community. As a result of his hard work and dedication George was awarded Historian of the Year. George retired from the Library in 1990.
When George found his calling as a Librarian, he also met the love of his life Kathie Andra Matheny. George and Kathie were married April 14, 1972 and spent 46 wonderful years together. George and Kathie had one child, their son Matthew and two grandchildren, Jayce and Trinity.
George was a good human being, he had a compassion for others, and treated everyone with respect. George was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, he made sure that his family was always taken care of. George's siblings, parents and extended family were of great pride to him, he was very proud of his family and heritage. George made the world a better place with him in it, may he rest in peace always. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Pacific Gardens for the compassion and care provided to George.
George is predeceased by his wife Kathie Kobayashi, parents Frank and Masako Kobayashi, he is survived by his siblings: Arthur (Tamiko) Kobayashi, May (Hodge) Kawakami, Masaaki Kobayashi, Harold (Patti) Kobayashi, his son Matthew (Connie) Kobayashi, grandson Jayce, granddaughter Trinity, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service for George will be held on July 31, 2020 at 10:30am at East Lawn Memorial in Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in George's honor to your local Santa Clara County Library @ SCCLD.org.

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jul. 30, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for George Kobayashi

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3 Entries

August 5, 2020

Condolences to George's family. George was my first boss with the city. West Valley Branch library, a very soft spoken gentle person and a great boss. May he rest in peace.

Joanne Kobori

August 3, 2020

I first met George when he was the librarian at the Cambrian branch. I took my three little boys there just about every week and would ask his advice for selections since they had very different interests. The thing I most remember about him was his kind eyes and gentle manner. I was quite surprised to learn that he had been in the Marines which obviously did not change his innate personality. My boys were in elementary school at the time so it was in the late '60's and early '70's as my oldest son is now sixty years old. There was quite a time gap between Cambrian branch and the next time I saw him which was when he was working in the California history department at the MLK main downtown. I was doing research for my husband, George, who had recently retired from FMC and was writing his memoirs. I just recall that I was so pleased to see your dad again after such a long interval. Imagine, he remembered me and even asked about my sons! I am glad to know that he had a long and happy marriage and was so proud of his family and heritage. Although you have sadness in your hearts now, your fond memories of precious times with him will surely soften the edges of sorrow as time passes. My best wishes to you all.

Aloha,
Joanne Kobori

Nancy Edwards

July 31, 2020

So sorry to hear. George was a good friend of my moms, worked together for many years at the Library. (Joyce Cunningham). I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him many times at Library functions. He was the sweetest and kindest man! Rest In Peace George ❤

Nancy (Cunningham) Edwards

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