Kojiro Francis Kawaguchi of Woodbridge, Calif. passed away October 6, 2010 at the
age of 89 years. Kohiro was born April 28, 1921 in San Francisco, Calif. After
graduating from Commerce High School he attended UC Berkeley where he received his
bachelor’s degree. When WWII broke out he was briefly interned at Topaz Relocation
Camp in Utah before he joined the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
After the war he relocated to Southern California where he received his Master’s
Degree from the University of Southern California. Shortly thereafter, he started
his long career with the Los Angeles City School District from 1954 until his
retirement in 1986. During his retirement years he was active with several Japanese
American groups and helped erect the Go For Broke Memorial in Los Angeles honoring
all the Japanese Americans who had served in the U. S. Armed Forces during WWII. He
moved back to Northern California to be closer to family in 2001 and to finish work
on his book.
Kojiro is survived by his wife of 57 years, Michiko, his two sons, Bruce (Katherine)
of Woodbridge, Calif. and Brian (Deborah) of Benton City, Wash.; and 9 grand
children, Brent (Loyce), Nathan (Chrisitine), Trina (Alex), Megan, Adam Paul, Neil,
Maria and Luisa. His extended family includes 2 step-grandchildren and a total of 8
great-grandchildren. He also has three surviving sisters, Jane Imura, Midori
(George) Goto and Mary (Aji) Uchiyama.
He is preceded in death by his parents Tetsuzo and Kaori Kawaguchi and sisters
Margaret and Yuki.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 16, 2010, 2 p.m. at the Sacramento
United Methodist Church, 6929 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento, Calif. 95825. (916)
421-1017.
The family is respectfully asking that considerations for flowers or gifts be sent
in his memory as a donation to the Go For Broke National Education Center, P.O. Box
2590 Gardena, Calif. 90247.