I had the honor of working for Yoshi during his time at Reichhold.  He was a kind, thoughtful, honorable man who, as a friend recently reminded me, often said "Bloom where you are planted".  Yoshi, you gave many of us that opportunity to bloom and for that I will always be grateful.  The opportunities you provided me were life changing.  Your guidance and wisdom, unwavering devotion to Valerie and family, and your kindness left an indelible mark on those of us around you.  Rest in peace my friend.

Yoshi was always a gentleman and wise counsel to me as we worked together closely as members of the Founders Club Board.  He was a joy to work with and a great example of Christian values in action. I appreciate the way he handled his fight with his illness also.  He was always caring and courteous to all. He demonstrated kindness and acted with dignity and professionalism  to all around him.  I will always remember and miss him, but he will live on in the memories and examples he set for us all. 

Dennis Seith
VP Founders Club

My friendship with Yoshi goes back to 1986, when I met him as part of a delegation from Mitsui.  He impressed me from the very beginning, somehow different from many Japanese businessmen that I was starting to have regular contact with.  He was, above all, a class act.  Ours was really just a meeting in passing at the time.  Most of my business was conducted then and thereafter with others within his organization.  I always suspected, though, that he was in the background, influencing the decision making.  Over the next 30 years, he never forgot who I was, and he always had a kind word for me when our paths crossed.  He was very much a memorable figure in my business career that knew many who were less memorable.

My best wishes and prayers are with Yoshi's family.

I first met Yoshi at Houston's First Baptist and it was a godly friendship with Yoshi and Valerie for my bride of 61 years Sara and I.  Little did Yoshi nor I know when we first met that within a couple of years, Yoshi would develop stomach cancer.  Since I was a 20 year survivor at that time, Yoshi and I developed an even deeper friendship and brotherhood.  Yoshi was a "warrior" for Christ during his long battle with cancer and was always positive, upbeat and full of faith.  His faith increased as his illness intensified as Yoshi knew without a shadow of a doubt he had received the "gift of eternal life' from his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.  I know we are separated for only a short time as Yoshi and I will be reunited one day in our Lord's presence never to suffer anymore sickness nor pain.  What an example of our Lord's strength visible thru my brother, Yoshi.  Until we meet, my brother, I will keep the faith and Sara and I will stay in close touch with Valerie.  You left a huge hole in my heart, but a joyful anticipation of our reunion in Christ's kingdom forevermore.

Yoshi Kawashima was a rare man among men; such a gentle man, a loving family man, a great businessman, the best of friends and a true man of God.  I was challenged once to list those whose actions/direction had  caused my life to take a different course; those who the Lord used to direct me onto a new path for His glory and my good.   And, after all these years and thousands of contacts, that list has only a small handful of names and Yoshi Kawashima is among them.  He will surely be missed by many who knew him as a friend, and I pray that Valerie and the children can take some comfort in knowing that he made a real and lasting difference in the lives of the many, many that he touched throughout his life's journey.  May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

One of my most treasured memories of Yoshi is when my husband and I were honored to be invited to accompany him and Valerie to Texas A&M  where he was giving an end of the year Commencement Address.
My husband  Gene, an A&M  graduate,  and I were treated like royalty along with them.  We had a lovely Lunch with some Faculty.
The auditorium was full of Business Students. You couldn’t hear a pin drop.
Yoshi simply  and beautifully told the story  of his life...from dropping a letter in the U S Embassy Box in Tokyo, being mentored and helped to the US,  living with a woman who became his “Grandmother”,  his illustrious career, and the hope for their future, without a “lecture”. He received a standing ovation, and was told  he and President George HW Bush the only ones who had ever received a standing ovation.  
This grand man will be greatly missed by many, and our heartfelt condolences to dear friend Valerie, and her family.

We send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Yoshi's lovely wife, Valerie.  Our fond memories of Yoshi and Valerie as friends will always remain with us.  In the business world there could have been no better person than Yoshi to represent not only his company but his Asian culture.  He was always the consummate gentleman who was able to bring the Eastern and Western cultures together for mutual benefit.  May he rest in peace. 

It has saddened me to have lost Yoshi.  He was a good friend as we served on the TAMU IAB board together.  He was a soft spoken man but with great insights.  Yoshi had shown me how to listen and value others contributions.    My condolences to his family.   The only comfort is that he is now in God's hands and definitely in a better place.

Yoshi was a classmate at Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program in 1982.  He often set the tone of thoughtful respect for his classmates and professors.  He clearly appreciated being in the learning environment and had great insights from his own work experiences to share during class discussions.  He was also an always cheerful presence in our many reunions and kept in touch with many of his classmates over the 35 years since we graduated.  Yoshi was a prince of a man and many of us miss him greatly.

I had  the privilege to know Yoshi since I became a member of Texas A&M International Advisory Board . He was always supportive to me and I  enjoyed talking to him and benefit from his guidenes and advise , we have lost a friend and a great man . My deep Condolences to his family and all his friends . May  his spirit rest peacefull . 

Yoshi was one of the finest men I have known in my petrochemical career. He was a man of dignity and high integrity - the ultimate gentleman. His word was his bond.  Mitsui was lucky to have him in their management structure as he represented the company in the best fashion - always driving for win-wins which makes for long term successful relationships. He defined the “great guy” definition in business and personally.

Mr. Kawashima hired me as a young graduate in 1978 which started my career in petrochemicals. As a graduate from Sophia University in Tokyo, I was indeed fortunate to work for Mitsui USA under Mr. Kawashima's guidance and support. He exhibited the very best as a leader through example and dedication to his family and company.  I am sure he can now see his life from heaven above as sort of landscape with a deep sense of connection to all its individual parts as he touched many lives.



I had the privilege to work with Mr. Kawashima for 20 years. Through out the years, he has provided guidance and direction to me and countless members of our company. Thanks to his mentorship, Kaneka  in the USA has grown over the years to serve different markets and customers from our facility in Houston. We will certainly miss him not only as a business partner, but as a good friend who always cared about the well being of our community and our employees. We have lost a great man and only can wish a safe journey to a better place. 

Kawashima-san and I met for the first time in Oregon in 1992 while I stayed there as a Mitsui trainee. That was his first trip to Bioproducts, Inc's Warrenton factory where fish feed and pet food flavors were produced. On the way from Portland Airport to the factory and the way back, he told me many stories how he had dedicated to Mitsui's business especially in USA.  And he carefully listened to my explanations how the company runs and what issues and opportunities it has. Since that time, he has been like my father in Mitsui, a mindful mentor who has guided me to make a right decision . He's well received as a person of integrity.  
May his spirit rest peacefully.  

OBITUARY

Yoshi Kawashima

June 18, 1935 – January 18, 2019

Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home & Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services