Samon Horii
December 20, 1915 – July 12, 2019
Samon Horii, age 103, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2019, at Brookdale Senior Living in
San Dimas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Aiko Horii. Samon leaves behind his son, Ron Horii and his wife Sue, granddaughter Marcie (husband Ed) and great-grandson Lucas; his daughter Jane Cook and her husband Mark, granddaughter Kimie (husband Kent) and great-grandson Kade; and his daughter Joyce Chung and her husband Russell, granddaughter Kristina (husband Shelby) and grandson Casey.
Samon was born in Dinuba, California. He spent his early years on the family farm with his uncle, where he first developed his green thumb. In 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington in the medical corp. After a year, he attended Military Intelligence Services (MIS) training and after graduating, Samon was stationed in Manila, Philippines until the war ended.
After World War II, Samon continued cultivating his passion by starting a local gardening business. In 1949, he moved to El Monte, where he married Aiko Nagai and they raised three children: Ron, Jane and Joyce.
For the past 26 years, Samon has enjoyed retirement to its fullest. He spent his time visiting family in Japan, caring for his many plants and fruit trees, hosting family BBQs and attending his grandkids’ sporting events, piano recitals, graduations and weddings. In 2015, Samon met many new friends as he moved into Brookdale Senior Living.
Samon will be remembered for his gentle spirit, warm smile and generous heart. We will always think of him when we eat french fries slathered in ketchup, gravy and devils food cake (not necessarily together).
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2019 from 2:00 – 7:00pm at Rose Hills Mortuary, Room 104 and the funeral service will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019 at 3:00pm at the Memorial Chapel in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier.