Jitsuo Higashi

Jitsuo "Jits, Jay" Higashi

80, passed away peacefully at home in San Francisco on April 12, 2014. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 47 years Kaye; daughters Julie (Robin Shaw) and Laurie (Craig Takeda); five grandchildren; siblings Yoshi Wong, Sue Hori, Iwao Higashi, and Satoko Yamashita; and many nieces and nephews.

Jits was born on September 12, 1933, in Rosemeade, California, where he resided until he was interned with his family in Arkansas during World War II.  The family returned to California and settled in the Sacramento Delta region, where he attended high school.  Jits matriculated from U.C. Berkeley with a B.S. in 1954 and from UCSF with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1958.  He served in the U.S. military for 3 years, moving back to his beloved San Francisco in 1961, where he married Kaye and raised their family of two daughters. 

Jits worked as a pharmacist at South San Francisco Kaiser Permanente Medical Center for over three decades, many of them as the Chief of Pharmacy.  He enjoyed his work as a pharmacist and manager as part of the Kaiser team, but also found time to be an active member in the Buddhist Church of San Francisco. He enjoyed retirement together with his partner in life, Kaye, and in his golden years enjoyed cooking, caring for his grandchildren, and cheering on the California Golden Bears and San Francisco Giants. He will be remembered for his professionalism, cheery demeanor, encyclopedic memory, and devotion to his family.  The family is thankful for the superb care he received at the South San Francisco Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.

Friends may visit Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City for visitation.  On May 4, 2014, a Memorial Service will be held at Duggan's Serra Mortuary at 2:00pm.  Donations may be made to Kimochi, Inc., 1715 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.