Takeo Kunishige

Takeo, known as "Tak" to friends and Jiichan by his family, was a remarkable man who also represented a notable part of Fresno's history. His father was the houseboy and cook at Kearney Ranch from 1908 to 1918, where Tak was born. He was a 1936 graduate of Fresno High School where he was recognized as one of the great multi sport athletes produced by that school. He was respectfully named the "Galloping Ghost" of Fresno because of his speed and allusiveness on the football field.

Tak maintained his athletic skills and interest through the years by focusing on golf, becoming well-recognized among Fresno's amateur golf community. Tak is one of the few golfers known to have recorded a score equal to his age, having shot a 77 at Fig Garden Country Club two months after his 77th birthday.

Tak was a World War II Veteran. He was inducted into the United States Army in April of 1941. Sadly, like so many other young Japanese men, he was pulled from active duty in May of 1942, by the War Relocation Authority and relocated with Miyoko, through the Fresno Assembly Center, to the Jerome, Arkansas Relocation Center.

After the war the resilience and determination that made him a great athlete led him to a successful career in the poultry industry in Texas, achieving the title of "the sexiest man in Texas". After returning to California and reaching the age when most retire, Tak began yet another successful career. He opened an innovative new restaurant known as Dai-Ichi. His business operated three locations before he finally retired in 2004.

Above all else Tak was a man loved deeply by his family and who loved and served his family faithfully. On May 15, 2012, Takeo and Miyoko celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the St. Agnes Medical team and to Ausprice Home Care Solutions. Particularly to Sergio and Jesse, for their wonderful care of our father.

Tak was preceded in death by Miyoko, his devoted wife; his parents; and his brothers, Fred, Kearney, Thomas and Hiro.

He is survived by his daughters, Toby Harrison and her husband Doug, of Fresno, and Pamela Walker and her husband Jerry, of Texas. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Mike and Mitch Harrison and Julie Jan Walker; and his six great-grandchildren, Adam, Luke, Grace, Jacob, Abigail and Emalie; his sisters, Michi Sakohiro, Janice Dohi, Helen Hanashiro; and his brother Ted Kunishige.

Takeo's Memorial Service will be at the Lisle Funeral Home on Friday, October 19, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Fresno Buddhist Temple, or to your favorite charity.