Hugo Kaji

SEP 23, 1921 - FEB 15, 2010

Hugo Kaji was born in Livingston, California on September 23, 1921.

He passed away on February 15, 2010 at the age of 88. He will always

be remembered for his wonderful smile, good nature and hard work.

Hugo was a 1939 graduate of Livingston High School. He operated a 300 acre fruit

and vegetable farm with his brother, near Livingston, California for 3 years prior to

December, 1941.

When World War II broke out, he was evacuated with his family to the Merced Assembly Center

and then sent to the Amache Relocation Center in Colorado. After being allowed

to leave, he moved to Chicago where he worked while attending Greer

College and then completed his education in Long Island.

Hugo was drafted into the U.S. Army, received basic training in Infantry Weapons at Camp

Blanding, Florida and qualified as a sharpshooter. He served in Germany as

Replacement 159th Infantry, then the 401st Field Artillery, followed by the

1st Armored and 3rd Ordnance Median Maintenance Company as an automotive technical

instructor, supervising 16 instructors and 100 men at ordnance school in Germany.

Hugo proudly served his country, completing his service as a Staff

Sergeant and Section Chief. Hugo received the following decorations and citations;

European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the

Army of Occupation Medal.

After the war, Hugo returned to Livingston to assume

responsibility for the family farm. He worked briefly in Chicago where he met

and married his wife, Marion. They returned to Livingston in 1951 where he

resumed farming, established Hugo Kaji Trucking and raised a family. Hugo had a

passion for business. His hobbies included attending trucking shows and equipment

auctions.

Hugo is survived by Marion, his devoted wife of more than 60 years, siblings Lily Hirata, Hubei Kaji

and wife Martha, Snow Shoji and husband Arthur, his four children (spouses)

Jeanette (Anthony Ishii), Naomi (Michael Nakata), Devonna (James Johnson),

Melvin (Sherry Kaji), and his nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home (old chapel) and

Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave Hughson, CA on Friday,

February 26, 2010 at 1:30pm.