Hiroyuki Art Hinoki

Our father, Art Hinoki was born in Los Angeles on March 11, 1925. He grew up during troubled times. His father’s family came from Hiroshima. Fortunately, his father Shuichi Hinoki, left Hiroshima to seek a better life in the US, met and married Tsuga Oshita and had two children with two from a previous marriage. Then came the stories of growing up in Los Angeles. The stories of working on the family’s small farm. The stories of how Dad would have to come home from school at the age of 12, load up the truck with their fruits and vegetables and illegally drive this truck with the goods into town to sell. The stories of how their older sister Chiyo, did everything for them and the family. How sweet she always was to everyone, how hard she worked. The stories of him and his brother Frank. Two brothers with such a true, close relationship all of their lives. We rarely see two brothers that close, who have always been there for each other. Uncle Frank who has always helped everyone, always giving and always doing for others. Everyone received his kind help in so many ways. The two brothers were like best friends. Dad went to Montebello High School and was able to graduate before WWII forced the Japanese Americans to go into internment camps. In high school, he participated on the Debating team! He ran track and competed in the high hurdles. Yes! The high hurdles!

Then Dad’s family went into the internment camps. Heart Mountain Wyoming 1942. Tule Lake in 1943. Then when he got out he went to Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. In 1946 he went to Yokohama, and worked for the US army. He joined the Air Force. He ran an Officer’s Club. The biggest in all of Japan- The GHQ Officers’ Club. As a young man he came into being, he received accolades from the Commanding Officer with his professionalism and outstanding management of the successful running of this club. It was the time of his life!

He has remained friends with three Japanese young men who worked under him at this club in Japan. Every year, they would get together and send a photo of themselves with Season Greetings during Christmas and the New Year for the following 60 years or more.

Then he met our mother, Aiko. She was very special. Very beautiful inside and out. Someone everyone adored. They loved each other and we were able to witness such a wonderful relationship. They have never said an unkind word about each other. Dad always said that our Mom made him the happiest. They got married in 1951 and had two sons in Japan. Glenn was born in 1953 and then Stan in 1954. They moved back to the states and eventually moved into a home in San Mateo, where their daughter Teri was born in 1958. In 1962 they bought a house in Santa Clara in what would one day be the family home in the middle of Silicon Valley. In 1969, they would have their fourth child, Marc. This was the year that Man landed on the Moon. This would be the son who would take care of Dad until he died on Christmas day 2013.

During those years from the late 50’s to the 80’s so much happened. It was a great time to be growing up. Mom and Dad worked hard, put their four kids through university. Glenn receiving a full scholarship to the University of Santa Clara. Stan being accepted into the Air Force Academy. Teri studying at UC Irvine. Marc was much younger and still in grammar school. Uncle Frank met Yoko. Yoko would be the nicest, nicest person ever! Yoko and Mom were close friends. Frank and Yoko would become the two people most important in Dad’s life, in our lives. Dad unfortunately lost his wife, our Mom, to cancer in 1985 (at the young age of 54) and he also lost his beloved son Stan, our brother, one month earlier in a C-130 plane crash. He died a young Captain at the age of 29. He was everyone’s pride and joy. Our Mom was the center of our universe. We were lost. Our Dad became a shadow of himself. Our pastor and church friends helped us so. God helped us through these times. This is also where Frank and Yoko helped all of us to pull through these times, all of these years to this day. Both can never be thanked enough for all they have done and continue to do. Dad has always said he could never repay them for all they have done. Teri got married and moved to France. Dad’s two grandkids were born – Mikey was born in 1991 and Marine was born in 1997. Dad came to visit them in France when Mikey was born and again with cousin Lynn when she kindly arranged a trip with others to France. Teri, Mikey and Marine came back to the US to visit often. Glenn got married and brought his wife Mary Pat into the family. We were all so happy. Nephews Gary, Kevin and Kenny were always near, always a part of Dad’s life, with so many memories! Cousin Gary visiting Dad and Marc often.

Marc graduated and got his license to become an Occupational Therapist. All the time, taking care of Dad and Dad taking care of him. Kenny got married to wonderful Marilyn and now the adorable Havyn was born.

All throughout the Otani family (all of them) will be known as the nicest family you could ever meet. Auntie Chiyo, Uncle George, Tom, Shig, Deanne, Jean and all of their kids would all play a big part of bringing happiness to this family. So many memories, such kind people! A great family!

The many friends, Lou Suzuki family, Pete and Akiko Armstrong, among many, many others have also played an important part in this Art Hinoki story. Good friends, precious friends.

Dad was smiling, thankful, kind and funny- especially towards the end… But we will never forget his ‘Wows!’ and his ‘Holy Toledos!’; or his love of big band music- Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller….The fact that he worked for GE for 35 years. With his kidding..’You know….if you looked more like me……you’d be a helluva good looking kid!’ was one of his favorite sayings.

Dad was always there….watching too much TV….At one point he managed to watch three at the same time- two with sound!! He always said that you would look a whole lot better if you had a smile on your face. He also always said (if you happened to stand between him and one of his TV sets )that ‘you know, you’d make a better door than a window!’ Meaning: I can’t see the television set!

We cannot thank Marc enough for having taken care of Dad, being there for Dad up until the very end and to Frank and Yoko, for all they have done. We will never know how much they have helped Dad throughout his life and especially throughout his later years. A very special THANK YOU.

Remember the backyard barbecues, the backyard gardening, the many pets (all of whom loved Dad most), the family meals, Dad’s photo-taking which took forever, the vacations, the camping, the big band jazz music, the laughter, the smiles… we never had to ask where Dad was… he was always there, he has always helped us.

Dad looked after us and took care of us. He promised mom he would…he kept his promise…. From Glenn , Teri , Marc and we can speak for Stan:

Thank you, Dad! We love you! We will miss you so much!