Hajime Jim HAMAMOTO

HAMAMOTO, Hajime Jim
Born April 27, 1917, in Sacramento, CA, to Toyoichi and Haruko Hamamoto, quietly passed away at the home of his daughter, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Harumi (Lloyd) Jinbo, and brother George. He is survived by Kinu, his loving wife for over 63 years; daughter, Bettie (Clifford) Tsuda; grandchildren, Chris Tsuda and Cathie (Tim) Lockwood; and two great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Aidan Lockwood. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, he owned a cut flower ranch in the Sutterville area, selling flowers to local florists. During World War II, he was briefly interned at Tule Lake before being moved to Topaz, Utah, then to Idaho to do seasonal work for the ''War Food Act'' and work at the Sioux Ordinance Depot in Nebraska. After the end of the war, he served in the U.S. Army as a translator in Korea. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1947, he returned to his cut flower ranch to continue that family business. In the late 1950s he sold the cut flower ranch to the city, which rezoned the land for a subdivision. He then turned to gardening as a profession and continued as a gardener until he retired. He was a member of the Hiroshima Nikkeijin Kai, Kochi Kenjin Kai, JACL, and was an active member of the Northern California Koyasan Temple. In his spare time, he enjoyed bowling, fishing, and in later life learning to use the computer, being with his family and enjoying time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the family's request, a private memorial service was held on October 16, 2010, at the Northern California Koyasan Temple, 1400 U Street, Sacramento.