Jane Shizuko Nagata

Jane Shizuko Nagata was born on November 19, 1929, in Grangeville, California. At an early age the family moved to Fowler. When World War II broke out, the family joined all other West Coast Japanese Americans and was imprisoned by the US Government. Jane and her family were first incarcerated at the Fresno Fair Grounds racetracks where they were forced to live in the horse stalls. Then they were transported by train to the Jerome, Arkansas concentration camp, before being moved again to the Tule Lake Segregation concentration camp on the California/Oregon border.

While Jane and her family were incarcerated, her Fowler home was deliberately looted and burned to the ground. But what really hurt was when Jane’s childhood friend, who was a neighbor, wrote to Jane that as the house was being looted, the city constable stood by and watched the looting and eventual burning of the home.

When the war ended, because Jane’s family had no home in Fowler to return to, her father made the decision that the family would return to Hiroshima, Japan where the family home was still standing despite the atomic bombing. Three weeks after the end of the war, 16-year-old Jane, her sister and parents left the concentration camp and returned to Japan on the first ship repatriating Japanese Americans back to Japan.

Returning to Japan with no money, to a destroyed Hiroshima, being suspect and not trusted by the local Japanese because of their American citizenship, Jane and her family struggled to seek out a living. Digging for roots and wild vegetables to cook, even seldom able to eat rice, they managed to survive. Because Jane could speak English and Japanese, she was able to get a job with other young Japanese Americans working for the Allied Occupation Forces in Hiroshima.

After several years in Hiroshima, Jane was able to return to Fowler and worked and lived as a house girl for Dr. and Mrs. H.W. Nielsen and his family. In 1954, Jane married Tom Nagata.

First son Brian was followed by Kevin and daughter Colleen. For many years, Jane was employed by the Fowler Unified School District and was entrusted with a generation of Fowler children who to this day cherish memories of her kindness and generosity.

In 1976, husband Tom was elected to the Fowler City Council and then in 1978, Tom was elected Mayor.

For many years, Tom and Jane bowled in the Nisei Bowling League, she was a member of the Le Donne Women’s Club, a lifelong member of the Buddhist Church of Fowler and active in the Buddhist Women’s Association.

In retirement, Tom and Jane purchased a summer home in Santa Cruz and escaped the Valley heat to enjoy visits from family and friends for many years. She also enjoyed regular jaunts to support the local casinos, traveling throughout the USA and visits back to Japan to see family and friends.

Tom passed away in 2014 and Jane would move into the Japanese American community’s Vintage Garden Assisted Living facility in Fresno where she received loving care and support during her final years.

Jane was predeceased by her husband of 60-years Tom and son Kevin. Surviving family include Brian, Colleen (Jay), 3 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren, cousins and other relatives in California and Japan.