1926
James
2013
James Mamoru Fujii
May 28, 1926 — December 3, 2013
James Mamoru Fujii died peacefully Tuesday morning, at the age of 87. Jim was born into a large Japanese immigrant farming family in Troutdale in 1926, where he lived his entire life. His father Bukichi (Ben) came to Troutdale from Japan in 1905, followed by his mother, Yoshino (Yamakado). Jim inherited the courage and fortitude required of his parents to succeed and persevere as pioneers in their new home.
All of the Fujii kids attended Troutdale elementary and worked on the farm. That life was interrupted by the 2nd world war. While most west coast Japanese citizens were interned, Jim's father volunteered to move the family to a farm labor tent camp in Nyssa, OR where they lived for the duration of the war. This allowed the family to work and the boys to attend Nyssa High, where Jim played third base on a state championship baseball team. Thus began his lifelong fascination with sports.
Following the war, Jim and his family moved back to Troutdale and faced the struggles of Japanese families returning home. Jim was always grateful for the leadership of several members of the Troutdale Gresham community who helped ease those tensions and welcomed them back.
When he came of age at the end of the war, Jim joined the army and served in Germany. After his service, Jim returned to Troutdale, attended Oregon State and eventually began independently farming. He was to married Susie "Jinx" Tamiyasu, for 25 years, the daughter of a prominent Portland Japanese family. Jinx's mother the owner of New Tokyo restaurant and father a leader in the Portland Japanese community and Buddhist church.
A lifetime of early mornings, hard work and grit revealed Jim as a dynamic businessman and highly successful berry farmer. At his peak, Jim was one of the largest raspberry farmers in the US. With that success, Fujii Farms became an icon in the Gresham Troutdale community, with a large number of the next generation of Portland area kids having memories of picking berries at Fujii Farms. Jim supported a wide variety of community organizations, from little league to the Gresham Buddhist church.
Jim is survived by his brothers Ed and Tom and sister Kimi Yamada, daughters Twinkle Zahniser, Jill Reilly, Patti Fujii and sons Ray and Ron, grandchildren Rachael and Kelby Fujii, Bailey and Nicholas Zahniser. Fujii Farms survives under the leadership of son Ray.
In recent years Jim battled dementia, but over the course of his life, Jim did little half way. He worked hard, played hard. No stranger to mischief, laughter was always close at hand. He was a unique, larger than life character and is immensely missed by his family.
Services will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 2:00pm
Oregon Buddhist Temple | 3720 SE 34th, Portland, OR 97202
For more information email info.jimfujii@gmail.com
All of the Fujii kids attended Troutdale elementary and worked on the farm. That life was interrupted by the 2nd world war. While most west coast Japanese citizens were interned, Jim's father volunteered to move the family to a farm labor tent camp in Nyssa, OR where they lived for the duration of the war. This allowed the family to work and the boys to attend Nyssa High, where Jim played third base on a state championship baseball team. Thus began his lifelong fascination with sports.
Following the war, Jim and his family moved back to Troutdale and faced the struggles of Japanese families returning home. Jim was always grateful for the leadership of several members of the Troutdale Gresham community who helped ease those tensions and welcomed them back.
When he came of age at the end of the war, Jim joined the army and served in Germany. After his service, Jim returned to Troutdale, attended Oregon State and eventually began independently farming. He was to married Susie "Jinx" Tamiyasu, for 25 years, the daughter of a prominent Portland Japanese family. Jinx's mother the owner of New Tokyo restaurant and father a leader in the Portland Japanese community and Buddhist church.
A lifetime of early mornings, hard work and grit revealed Jim as a dynamic businessman and highly successful berry farmer. At his peak, Jim was one of the largest raspberry farmers in the US. With that success, Fujii Farms became an icon in the Gresham Troutdale community, with a large number of the next generation of Portland area kids having memories of picking berries at Fujii Farms. Jim supported a wide variety of community organizations, from little league to the Gresham Buddhist church.
Jim is survived by his brothers Ed and Tom and sister Kimi Yamada, daughters Twinkle Zahniser, Jill Reilly, Patti Fujii and sons Ray and Ron, grandchildren Rachael and Kelby Fujii, Bailey and Nicholas Zahniser. Fujii Farms survives under the leadership of son Ray.
In recent years Jim battled dementia, but over the course of his life, Jim did little half way. He worked hard, played hard. No stranger to mischief, laughter was always close at hand. He was a unique, larger than life character and is immensely missed by his family.
Services will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 2:00pm
Oregon Buddhist Temple | 3720 SE 34th, Portland, OR 97202
For more information email info.jimfujii@gmail.com
Memorial Service
Oregon Buddhist Temple
3720 SE 34th
Portland
,
OR
US
97202
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 2:00 PM
Cemetery
Pending
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