1918
George
2013
George I. Azumano
June 9, 1918 — December 9, 2013
George Ichiro Azumano, a stoic, dignified and dedicated community leader, passed away on December 9, 2013 at the age of 95. George was the eldest child of Hatsutaro and Satsuki Azumano who emigrated from Tokushima, Japan to find new beginnings in Portland. George did well in school, graduating from Jefferson High School, attending Multnomah College where he played on the basketball team, and earning his BA in business from the University of Oregon.
From an early age George took on many responsibilities at the family's Fujii Grocery on North Russell and Williams because of his father's health issues. That became the overall theme of his life -- one of responsibility for family, his church, civic duty, equality and justice for all.
After being forcibly interned at the Portland Assembly Center (now Expo Center) and in Minidoka, Idaho during World War II, he married his college sweetheart, Ise Inuzuka. Together they raised a family of four—Loen, Jim, Jane and Bette. Jane passed away in 1968 and Ise followed in 1974. In 1976, he married Nobuko "Nobi" Tsuboi who had three children—Cliff, Robbie and Annie.
George was always busy, always serious. After all, he had grown up during the depression, had served a short time in the military before being discharged because of his race. He built a life for his family amid the post war atmosphere in Portland, committed to being American, and an upstanding and trustworthy example of his community.
He was successful in his businesses, Azumano Insurance and Azumano Travel because he worked so hard at it. As his success grew, he became acquainted with Gov. Mark Hatfield who asked him to be part of the first Oregon trade mission to Japan in 1962. Mayor Terry Shrunk sought him out to help form the Sapporo Sister City Association. Gov. Victor Atiyeh appointed him to the Oregon Tourism Commission. He treated his employees like family, hosting them along with family and friends at annual Rose Festival parties.
His activities at Epworth Methodist Church led to him being appointed to various national Methodist boards and to the Board of Trustees at Willamette University. Committed to his Nikkei (Japanese American) heritage, he was on the first Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum. In 1982 the Japanese Government awarded him the Emperor's Medal of the 4th Order of the Rising Sun for his work improving US-Japan relations. He faithfully served numerous other organizations, including the Japanese American's Citizen League, Oregon Nissei Veterans, Rotary International, Japan America Society of Oregon, the Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center.
Even with his devotion to duty, he enjoyed spending time with his expanded family. The children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all their children enjoyed seeing the informal, light side of him at family events through the years. He and Nobi travelled to every corner of the world from Antarctica to Alaska, before Nobi's death last year. He loved sports and golfed well into his 80s.
George remained true to himself until the end. . .always taking responsibility, always keeping his dignity. We will miss his quiet way of showing us all how much he loved us.
He is survived by Loen Dozono (Sho), Jim Azumano (Lois) , Bet Orazio(Gary), Cliff Tsuboi, Annie Migaki (Gerry), 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. His sister Rae Yasui, daughters Jane and Robbie, and wives Ise and Nobi all predeceased him.
A funeral service will be held on December 28 at 11a.m. at First United Methodist Church, SW 18th and Jefferson with viewing preceding at 10-10:30a.m. Burial will be for family only. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Epworth United Methodist Church, the Oregon Nikkei Endowment or the charity of your choice.
From an early age George took on many responsibilities at the family's Fujii Grocery on North Russell and Williams because of his father's health issues. That became the overall theme of his life -- one of responsibility for family, his church, civic duty, equality and justice for all.
After being forcibly interned at the Portland Assembly Center (now Expo Center) and in Minidoka, Idaho during World War II, he married his college sweetheart, Ise Inuzuka. Together they raised a family of four—Loen, Jim, Jane and Bette. Jane passed away in 1968 and Ise followed in 1974. In 1976, he married Nobuko "Nobi" Tsuboi who had three children—Cliff, Robbie and Annie.
George was always busy, always serious. After all, he had grown up during the depression, had served a short time in the military before being discharged because of his race. He built a life for his family amid the post war atmosphere in Portland, committed to being American, and an upstanding and trustworthy example of his community.
He was successful in his businesses, Azumano Insurance and Azumano Travel because he worked so hard at it. As his success grew, he became acquainted with Gov. Mark Hatfield who asked him to be part of the first Oregon trade mission to Japan in 1962. Mayor Terry Shrunk sought him out to help form the Sapporo Sister City Association. Gov. Victor Atiyeh appointed him to the Oregon Tourism Commission. He treated his employees like family, hosting them along with family and friends at annual Rose Festival parties.
His activities at Epworth Methodist Church led to him being appointed to various national Methodist boards and to the Board of Trustees at Willamette University. Committed to his Nikkei (Japanese American) heritage, he was on the first Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum. In 1982 the Japanese Government awarded him the Emperor's Medal of the 4th Order of the Rising Sun for his work improving US-Japan relations. He faithfully served numerous other organizations, including the Japanese American's Citizen League, Oregon Nissei Veterans, Rotary International, Japan America Society of Oregon, the Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center.
Even with his devotion to duty, he enjoyed spending time with his expanded family. The children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all their children enjoyed seeing the informal, light side of him at family events through the years. He and Nobi travelled to every corner of the world from Antarctica to Alaska, before Nobi's death last year. He loved sports and golfed well into his 80s.
George remained true to himself until the end. . .always taking responsibility, always keeping his dignity. We will miss his quiet way of showing us all how much he loved us.
He is survived by Loen Dozono (Sho), Jim Azumano (Lois) , Bet Orazio(Gary), Cliff Tsuboi, Annie Migaki (Gerry), 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. His sister Rae Yasui, daughters Jane and Robbie, and wives Ise and Nobi all predeceased him.
A funeral service will be held on December 28 at 11a.m. at First United Methodist Church, SW 18th and Jefferson with viewing preceding at 10-10:30a.m. Burial will be for family only. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Epworth United Methodist Church, the Oregon Nikkei Endowment or the charity of your choice.
Visitation
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF PORTLAND
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, December 28, 2013, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Service
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF PORTLAND
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, December 28, 2013, 11:00 AM
Cemetery
Japanese Ancestral Society Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, December 28, 2013, 2:30 PM
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