George Ukito Yamaguma

It was January 30, 1916, when George was born to parents Toraki and Tami Yamaguma in what is now known as Alviso, California. He was the eldest son of six children. The early years were not easy, working on the family farm, and having to live through the Depression and the early death of their Father. In 1939, he received his barber license for the state of California, practicing in the Sacramento and bay area. On May 8, 1942, the Orders were given to all Japanese to a forced evacuation. The Yamaguma family went to Topaz, Utah. During this time, he worked towards receiving his Barber’s license for the state of Utah.

On July 20, 1943, George was released from the Topaz Relocation Center and transferred to Camp Savage, Minnesota as a post Barber. In 1944 through the year 1946, he was again moved to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, continuing to work. During this time, he had met some life-long friends. One in particular he would always talk about was Colonel Kai Rasmussen. When the War finally ended, Colonel Rasmussen persuaded George to go with him back to Monterey, California to become the Head Barber and establish a new shop on what later became the Defense Language Institute of Monterey. Unfortunately, because racism was so prevalent, the higher brass would not allow this to happen and an opportunity was lost. To his last days, George still spoke of Colonel Rasmussen with deep respect and honor.

As one door closes, others do open. While on his travels through Gilroy, George saw an empty barber shop for sale in Old Chinatown. He decided to relocate to Gilroy and open up his own business, George’s Barber Shop.

In 1949, George met and married Sueyo Toyoshima. They had three children, Eugene, Tim, and Darlene. Having a young family and establishing a new business, he was able to provide for all. To do this, he would work six days a week, and from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

George loved to go bowling and play poker with his friends. A trip to Reno or Candlestick Park was always favored as well. However, fishing off the old cement ship at Sea Cliff Beach was one of his favorite past times. George valued family most of all. He would always make time to visit his brothers and sisters in Palo Alto and San Mateo.

George had his barber shop for 23 years. It was a blinding disease called retinitis pigmentosa that robbed his eyesight and career in 1970. Retirement at age 54 did not suit George. Not knowing what to do, he turned to the state of California for guidance.

It was six months later in 1971, George would commute weekly by train to Sacramento for 6 months. Here he completed the “Business Enterprise Program for the Blind”. The program consisted of learning to type and read Braille, survival skills, and was taught Food Management.

After completing the program, he was assigned to work as a Coffee Shop Manager at the Hillcrest Juvenile Hall in Belmont, California. In 1973, he transferred to the Santa Clara County Water District in San Jose. This was a larger Coffee Shop facility and closer to home. He was able to establish new friends and because of them, he never wanted to quit working. However, after 20 years, he did retire at age 77.

We can all still remember seeing him with his transistor radio listening to his favorite News Talk station, and always, listening to a San Francisco Giants game.

With all his disabilities, hardships, and many challenges, George never quit to the end. He learned to persevere, day after day. Always upbeat, never ever complained, and was deeply concerned about others, which included his grand and great grand children.

We will love him forever.