George H. Uyeki

Obituary

Class of 1949

Feb. 10, 1932 – Oct. 18, 2006

George H. Uyeki, 74, Weiser, passed away Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at the Vendome, 309 State St., in Weiser, with the Reverend Joshin Dennis Fujimoto presiding. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser.

George was born Feb. 10, 1932, in San Jose, Calif., to Keijiro and Shizumo Uyeki. George was the fourth of five children. The family lived in Cupertino, Calif., and later moved to Sunnyvale, Calif., when he started elementary school. In 1941, the family moved to Mayfield, Calif. In 1942, the family was interned at the Santa Anita Relocation Center. Five months later, they were transferred to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming where George attended middle school. After leaving camp, George and his family moved to Weiser where he graduated from Weiser High School in 1949.

From 1953 to 1955, George served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Bragg, N.C., where he received the National Defense Service Medal. After receiving his honorable discharge, George moved to Los Angeles to attend National Schools, a technical training facility where he specialized in mechanics. After completing his studies, he returned to Weiser where he and his brother, James, farmed in Weiser and the Sunnyside area, raising crops such as corn, wheat, alfalfa, onions, and potatoes.

George married Sue Hasebe on Jan. 4, 1959, in Ontario, Ore. The family later moved to Weiser where he started farming on his own and continued to raise row crops until his retirement in 1996.

In his early days, George was an avid bowler as part of the Nisei Bowling League. Later in life, he could be found at the golf course, either playing a round of golf with the young guys or doing his volunteer work on the greens.

George was very active in his church. He put in countless hours helping with Obon, Bazaar, Happy Bowl cooking at the Malheur County fair, and other temple activities. In 1997, George served as Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple President.

George loved to travel. After his retirement, George and Sue took advantage of the opportunity to travel to places such as Hawaii and Japan. He also enjoyed going to Jackpot to play poker and to Rocklin to visit his son and his family.

George enjoyed his grandchildren to the fullest. As his granddaughters were growing up, George could often be found playing board games, playing hide-and-go-seek, or riding fun rides with them. He would buy joke books so he could call up his grandchildren and tell them jokes.

Grandpa will forever have a special place in their heart.

George is survived by his wife, Sue, of 48 years; his son, George Alan and his wife, Darlene, their children Allison and Kara of Rocklin, Calif.; his daughter, Lorraine and her husband Dave Fujii and daughter Keiko of Boise, Idaho; his brother, James and his wife, Elaine, of Ontario, Ore.; a brother-in-law, Dick Terashima of Caldwell, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews.

George is preceded in death by his father, Keijiro Uyeki; his mother, Shizumo Uyeki-Goshi; his sisters, Tomoye Uyeki, Hisako Shigihara, and Helene Terashima.

A viewing will be held on Monday, Oct. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thomason Funeral Home, 221 E£. Court Street, Weiser. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.thomasonfuneralhome.com.

From The Idaho Statesman – Sat, Oct 21, 2006