Ugi Harada

Ugi was the second of nine children born in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Sadakichi and Tami (Takeda) Harada. He began his education in Rocky Ford. At age 16, he traveled to Denver as one of 14 young men from rural areas invited to live and study at the Denver Buddhist Church. While there, he attended Manual High School and graduated in 1935. He went on to earn a degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado in 1939.

After college, Ugi returned to Rocky Ford, where he married and raised three daughters. Until the early 1970’s, Ugi and his brothers operated Harada Farms in Rocky Ford and New Mexico, continuing the business started by their father before 1914. Ugi continued to farm in the Rocky Ford area until he was in his 70’s.

Ugi had endless energy and kept busy with a variety of interests. As a younger man, he had a private pilot’s license, and he and a friend built a hangar for their plane at what was later Melon Field Airport. Ugi also built the Daily Fresh Market, which his wife operated in Rocky Ford. He had a great sense of humor and would try playing little pranks on people. However, he usually would give it away with his impish smile.

During his lifetime, he was a member of the Rotary Club, served various positions in the local JACL chapter, took back-country hunting trips on horseback, camped and fished with his family and friends, bowled, and studied handwriting analysis and tax preparation. After retiring, he took up painting in oils and watercolor.

Ugi loved animals and took in and nurtured many strays over the years. Even in his 90’s, Ugi maintained large vegetable and flower gardens and a variety of fruit trees. Garden clubs visited his garden, and Ugi won ribbons for flowers a neighbor picked and entered in his name at the county fair.

As much as he enjoyed growing things, Ugi enjoyed cultivating friendships. He enjoyed working side by side with the employees of Harada Farms and getting to know the men he worked with later in his career. He was quick to help others and never forgot a kindness shown him. It gave him pleasure to show his appreciation of others by sharing flowers and produce from his garden. He raised special gourds for an artist in northern Colorado, gave buckets of jalapenos to a favorite Mexican restaurant, and personally delivered melons to friends and acquaintances as far away as Gunnison. One of his favorite retirement activities was visiting and spending time with his coffee friends.

Ugi is survived by sisters Terry Shoji, Susie (Gene) Hirakata, and Kazuko Harada; daughters Jeanne (George) Tateyama, JoAnne (Bill) Goodwin, and Janice Harada; grandchildren Gregg (Laura) and Troy (Shawn) Tateyama and Brittany and Tracy Goodwin; great grandchildren Tyler, Emily, Preston, Peyton, and Meghan; many other loving family members, and fishing buddy Barb. Ugi was preceded in death by brothers Mitsu, Henry, and Shige and sisters Betty Kitashima and Miyeko Harada.

A memorial service will be held on January 18 at 10:00 AM at Olinger Highland Mortuary, 10201 N. Grant Street, Thornton. Inurnment will follow at Olinger Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ugi’s name to Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple, 1947 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80202 or to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700, Denver, CO 80246.