Takao Matoba

Takao, age 99, passed away at the Hanford Adventist Medical Center on December 14, 2013. He was born Takao Matoba on December 14, 1914, to Naoya and Shizuno (Sugimoto) Matoba in San Gabriel, Ca. He graduated from Santa Maria High School in 1933.

Takao and Betty ran a fruit stand in Los Angeles before the war and went to camp at Poston, Az. After the war, he settled down in Sanger, Ca., working the fields and saving his money so he could buy his own land. In 1956 after many years of hard work, Takao and Betty bought a farm in Del Rey. He grew grapes for raisins and in order to make ends meet, he would work on other people's farms pruning and harvesting plums and peaches.

Takao was a quiet, strong man, respected by his family. He loved reading, mostly Japa- nese books and watching Japanese videos. His passion later in life besides his family was his trips to the casinos, which he did as often as he could.

Takao was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty; son Susumu, who died prematurely in Poston ,Az,; his parents, five brothers; and two sisters.

Takao is survived by sons, Harry and his wife Janet, Frank and his wife Yuko, and Sam and his wife Pam; daughter, Sally Kageura and her husband Ted; eleven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He leaves behind many relatives and dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Fresno Betsuin Family Dharma Center on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.