Sachiko Araki

Sachiko Araki passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2025, at the age of 102. She, the 2nd of 5 siblings, was born on October 13, 1923, in Selma, CA to Kensuke and Sumiko Fujioka.

Sachiko is survived by her children: Christine Nishimoto, Alex Araki (Roberta), Dell Araki (Nancy), and Sherri Miyake (Stanley), and her nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Sachi was preceded in death by husband Tadashi Araki; brother John Fujioka, infant siblings Kikuye, Hisaye, and Takeshi Fujioka; and son in law Henry Nishimoto.

Sachi grew up on the farm her parents leased. She attended Canal Elementary School (Selma) and Selma High School (class of 1942). During WWII, the Fujioka family was interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona. She worked at a mess hall and a ship model shop while at the internment camp. She enjoyed attending church services, watching talent shows and movies, dancing, and cheering for her team during inter-block baseball and basketball games. In 1944, while her parents and brother remained in camp, Sachi was among those granted an “early departure” from camp to attend college or seek employment. Sachi went to New York’s War Relocation Authority and found a job working as a live-in housekeeper for a wealthy lawyer and his family. After nine months in New York, Sachi then went to Cleveland, Ohio since her cousin was there. She found a family to stay with and worked in a book binding factory. After five months in Cleveland, Sachi returned to Kingsburg in 1945 since her family had been released from Gila River WRC. The family had a sponsor and was able to relocate to Kingsburg to work on a farm. Sachi also worked in a packing shed.

On December 11, 1948, Sachiko Fujioka married Tadashi Araki. Tad was also a member of the Selma High Class of 1942 as well as being interned at the Gila Riva War Relocation Center. They lived on a leased farm in Selma until 1952. In 1949, Tad and Sachi welcomed the birth of their first child, daughter Christine. Their second child, son Alex, was born in 1952. They then moved to Los Angeles (Mar Vista area) where they lived 1953-1956. In 1957, the family moved back to Selma and purchased a 40-acre farm, where they would call “home” for the rest of their lives. In 1958, their third child, son Dell, was born. Then in 1965, their fourth child, daughter Sherri, would complete the family.

Sachi’s biggest joy was cooking for her family. Whether it was making the daily meals, packing lunches for school, bento boxes for family trips, or putting together the delicious dishes that highlighted the New Year feast, she made sure her family ate well. Sachi also enjoyed being a part of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s many activities. School sports, music and dance recitals, gymnastics, school and church functions, family vacations (like Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, etc.), outings to Pine Flat, were all among her favorite ways to spend time with her family. Sachi also enjoyed visiting the slot machines at casinos like Tachi and Table Mountain.

On December 11, 2018, Sachi and Tad celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with dinner surrounded by family and friends. They would be married for 73 years until Tad’s passing in June 2022.

Sachi celebrated her milestone 100th birthday in 2023 at the Fresno Buddhist Temple. Of course, she was once again surrounded by family and friends to mark the incredibly special occasion.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethel Lutheran Home (Selma) for their wonderful care since Sachi began her stay there in Jan 2025. Also thank you to the nurses and staff at Compassionate Care Home Hospice for the care and guidance they provided during Sachi’s final weeks at home. A special heartfelt appreciation to caregivers Maria and Sandra, who provided Sachi with kind and loving care for the past four years.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:00 am at the Fresno Buddhist Temple, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave, Fresno, CA 93720.