Arthur Iwao Yamaguchi passed away on January 22, 2025 at the age of 94. Art was born in Fresno, CA on January 14, 1931 to Takamatsu Yamaguchi and Mikiyo Minami Yamaguchi. He was the second youngest of eight children. Art spent his childhood in Fresno where he attended McKinley Elementary School and Central Union High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1950 and his training prepared him to serve abroad in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and pursued his education at California State University, Fresno. He graduated in 1959 with a BA in Physical Science.
After graduation, he married Darlene Mori and they moved to Lancaster. He was hired as a civilian employee at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. They had two children, Dana and Stacie, and raised their family in the middle of the Antelope Valley. However, they spent most of their weekends visiting family in Los Angeles, Fresno, and Union City. Art spent over 25 years in numerous engineering positions at Edwards AFB. He worked closely on flight quality testing and data processing analytics, which supported classified projects for both the Air Force and NASA research. Art’s retirement from Edwards Air Force Base was short-lived since he quickly realized that retired life didn’t suit him. He returned to the workforce, first at Verac, and later at Northrop Corporation as a logistics engineer. His greatest professional achievement was working on the B-2 Spirit Bomber and being part of the Combined Test Force, which was responsible for the B-2’s first flight in 1989. Art officially retired from Northrop, and he and Darlene spent time traveling throughout the US and Canada in their motorhome. They loved being on the road visiting historical sites and landmarks, but their most fond memories were of the people they met along the way. Many of these friendships lasted throughout Art’s lifetime. After Darlene’s passing in 2009, Art moved to the Bay Area. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, Megan, doing road trips with his family throughout the West Coast, visiting friends, and living an independent life.
Art enjoyed fishing, woodworking, reading, watching Westerns, and doing a lot of deep thinking. People gravitated towards Art because he was such a great listener. His gentle and unassuming nature put people at ease and he made friends with anyone and everyone. He was a wanderer who loved to travel off the beaten path and was most relaxed while driving and enjoying nature. Art always put his family first and spending time with them was his top priority.
Art was preceded in death by his wife Darlene Yamaguchi, his parents Takamatsu Yamaguchi and Mikiyo Minami Yamaguchi, brothers Takaichi Yamaguchi and Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, and sisters Mitsuru Yamaguchi, Shizuye Uyemoto, Clara Kumamoto, Baby Chiyeko Yamaguchi, and Ann Yamaguchi-Rumbaugh.
Art is survived by his daughters, Dana Nakagawa and Stacie Yamaguchi (Minh Nguyen), granddaughter Megan Nakagawa, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Art will be missed by all who knew him.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at noon at the Fresno Buddhist Temple, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.
