Obituary of Harume "Harry" Yamashita

Harume "Harry" Yamashita passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Jackson at the age of 94 years. He was born February 25, 1916, the fifth of nine children to Ichitaro and Kin (Fujioka) Yamashita in Kauai, HI. At a young age, Harry started working with his father digging ditches on one of the plantations in Kauai. He continued working through his high school years. He married Kiyomi in 1937. At age 40 Harry wanted to go to college to learn accounting, so he moved his family to the mainland in 1956. He worked as a gardener while attending college. After graduating with an associate's degree Harry worked as an accountant for the city of Los Angeles for 30 years retiring at age 72 years. He married Bettie in 1999 in Groveland. He enjoyed his retirement cultivating his passion for his orchids. At age 81 he started playing golf and six years later achieved the status of a hole in one golfer. Harry was proud of his grandchildren, always stressed education and took great pride in their accomplishments. He was hard working, loving, principled, resolute, and caring. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Yamashita of Ione; son, Gordon Yamashita and wife, Elaine; daughters, Merie Young and husband, Richard, Janis Mitsuda; sisters, Carol Kurihara, Hisako Yamashita; grandchildren, Gina Day, Richie Mitsuda, Kimberly Young, Trevor Young, Peter Young; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Malia, Kiyomi, Jonathan, Madison, MacKenzie, Keoni, and Kieran. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kiyomi Yamashita in 1994. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 P.M. at Ione Community United Methodist Church in Ione. Inurnment will be in Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, CA. Memorial contributions may be made to Ione Community United Methodist Church, General Fund, P.O. Box 1046, Ione, CA 95640.