Frank Shigeru Nishikawa

Frank S. Nishikawa of Fresno, CA passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025, at the age of 96. The youngest of six, he was born in Clovis, CA on July 21, 1929, to Sotaro & Tami Nishikawa. As a young teen, Frank and his family were removed from their home in Fowler, CA and incarcerated in the Poston & Tule Lake Relocation Centers during World War II. The family returned to the Fresno area after the war.

Frank married Amy Yoshimura in 1956 in Los Angeles, CA, and moved to Fresno in 1959 where they raised their five children. Frank tirelessly worked many long hours and dedicated himself to his career as a dental lab technician for decades to support his family. He enjoyed fishing and clamming at Pismo Beach and fishing along the Kings River. Frank also had a creative side and loved making jewelry such as rings & pendants for his family and enjoyed giving them as gifts.

Frank’s favorite hobby was gambling at Chukchansi and Table Mountain with Amy. They were active members of the Fresno Buddhist Church and volunteered with Project Dana for their Homebound Meals program. Known as Ji and Ba, they were loving and supportive grandparents to their 11 grandchildren. The older grandkids have fond memories of Ji driving them out to the ranch in the back of his pickup to make a small fire and roast wienies. The grandkids shared a special bond with their Ji, and his sense of humor, kindness, and smiling face will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Frank lost his beloved Amy in 2020, and spent the last five years living on his own in his home up until a month before his passing. Despite slowing down and with help from his kids, he tended to his fruit trees and vegetable garden. Frank especially took pride in his precious bitter melon, which he attributed to his longevity, and loved sharing his fruits of labor with family and friends. He continued his love of the slots and went to the casino on a weekly basis with his son-in-law where they spent the afternoon gambling and enjoying a meal. He enjoyed watching San Francisco 49er games and many Angels & Dodgers games to cheer for his favorite baseball player, Shohei Ohtani.

Frank is survived by his children: Gail Yamagiwa (Wayne), Judy Osato (Russell), Martin Nishikawa (Jennifer), Lori Imamura (Rodney), and Randy Nishikawa (Chenée), and his grandchildren, Kyle (Samantha), Kacey (Dillon) & Connor Osato, Gillian Yamagiwa, Jaret & Drew Nishikawa, Ty & Kyla Nishikawa, and Isaak, Kai & Eli Imamura, and his large extended family.

The family would like to thank Gale & Gene Nakai for their support and warm welcome to Vintage Gardens, and to Yousef and Salvador, and all the kind and compassionate care team at Vintage Gardens who looked after our dad in his final days while the family camped out in his apartment.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 18, at 11:00 am at the Fresno Buddhist Temple, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave, Fresno, CA 93720. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Frank’s memory to the Central California Nikkei Foundation, 540 S. Peach Ave, Fresno, CA 93727.