Iwao Yamashita

Iwao Yamashita passed away peacefully on December 30, 2022 at the age of 95.

Iwao was born in San Jose, CA, the fifth child in a family of six children. In 1951 during the Korean War, Iwao Yamashita was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the MIS (Military Intelligence Service) as an interrogator/interpreter and was later promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Iwao worked extremely hard his entire life to provide a good future for his wife, Tomiko, and four children. He started as a gardener and eventually built a successful flower business in Mountain View. In 1965, Iwao moved his flower business and family to Watsonville.

Iwao enjoyed bonsai, bowling, woodworking, playing blackjack, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. During the summer, Iwao loved to listen to his favorite sports team, the San Francisco Giants. Iwao was a member of the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, Watsonville Buddhist Temple, Watsonville-Santa Cruz J.A.C.L and Senior Center, Watsonville Bonsai Club where he was one of the original members, California Flower Growers Association, and the FFNV (Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans).

Iwao was an honest man with a kind heart and a wonderful father. He will be truly missed by his daughters Jean Yamashita, Ann Yamashita, and Shirley Inokuchi; son, Brian Yamashita; son-in-law Tom Inokuchi; and two grandchildren, Corey and Christopher Inokuchi. Iwao was preceded in death by his wife, Tomiko, in 2008. He is survived by his brother-in-law's wife, Etsuko Yano, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 2 PM at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge Street in Watsonville. Masks will be required. Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · January 12, 2023