Shigeru Yuzuriha

Shigeru Yuzuriha was born September 8, 1930 in Portland, Oregon to Zoichi Yuzuriha and Fumiye (Toyohara) Yuzuriha. Shig and his family were sent to the internment camp at Minidoka during World War II. He graduated from Portland’s Lincoln High School in 1948. In 1953, he completed his pharmacy degree at Oregon State College. Shig married Yoko Okano on November 24, 1956.

Shig worked as a pharmacist at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, California. In 1964, he moved back to Portland and became co-owner of Medic Pharmacy, Inc.

While bowling and golfing with friends dominated his recreational activities, Shig also had a passion for finding matsutake mushrooms near Mount Hood. He was a Rubik’s Cube master and would spend hours working on jigsaw puzzles. Shig found time to take woodworking classes and used his skills to build furniture. He could be found attending greyhound races at the old Multnomah Kennel Club or more recently, gambling at Spirit Mountain Casino. Shig was an avid fan of the Portland Trail Blazers since their inception, holding season tickets for many years.

Shig is preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister Tsuyu (Yuzuriha) Takagawa. He is survived by his wife Yoko (Okano) Yuzuriha of Salem, Oregon, his son Todd (Elaine) Yuzuriha of Vancouver, Washington, daughter Lisa (Martin) Johnson of Salem, Oregon, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Shig will be buried in the Japanese Ancestral Society Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Prestige Senior Living Orchard Heights in Salem, Oregon.