Michael Masayoshi Hasebe

Michael Masayoshi Hasebe Michael Hasebe of Visalia, CA, passed away on March 16, 2015 at the age of 76, due to a long battle with cancer. Michael was born November 18, 1938 in Fresno, CA, to Tsutomu and Ikuko Hasebe. He lived in Ivanhoe, CA, for a short time until WWII broke out and was evacuated to an internment camp in Poston, AZ. After being released from camp his family resided for a year in Logandale, NV. The family then moved back to Ivanhoe where Michael attended grammar school for 2 years. Then the family moved and resided in Yettem, CA, where Michael finished grammar school and graduated from Mount Whitney High School in 1956. Michael then attended COS as an Architecture Major. Michael married Aiko Yamashita his high school sweetheart in March 1959 and just celebrated their 56th anniversary this month. They raised two sons Randy and Steven in Visalia, CA. Michael's passion for fixing up cars, inspired him to work in the automotive industry where he owned several businesses in Tulare and Hanford. Michael's final Business that he owned was Hanford Radiator from which he retired in 2001. Michael's attraction for speed led him into the racing community. He stated that the key components to his success were his drivers and treasured friends that supported his racing which lead to several wins and a championship. Michael also had an attraction to the wilderness, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping. Michael was a devoted father making sure he attended his son's and grandchildren's sporting events putting aside his busy schedule of running his own business. His sons and grandchildren could always watch him cheering from the grandstands, because family was always first with him. Michael is survived by his devoted wife, Aiko; his son Randy and wife Christine of Aliso Viejo CA; son Steven of Visalia, CA.; loving grandchildren include Randy's children Justin, Brandon, and Michael; Steven's children Megan and Lauren; sister Sachiko Kajioka of Visalia, CA; sister preceded in death Mitsuye Hasebe; sister Misako Oshiro and husband Calvin of Sacramento; sister Masako Hasebe of San Diego; and 3 nephews and a niece. Thank you to all of our friends and family who have provided support and love during this difficult time. Many thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Sequoia Regional Cancer Center, and Kaweah Dialysis Center. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 4pm to 7pm at Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 11am at the Visalia Buddhist Church at 514 E. Center Street in Visalia. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel.