Hajime Kayano

Hajime Kayano, 85, of Garden Grove, Calif., passed away peacefully on October 23, 2011 at Beachside Nursing Center in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster, Calif.

He was born on March 12, 1926 in Bandini, Calif., a part of Los Angeles, Calif., to Namiji and Shikako Kayano. His parents came to America by ship from Japan eventually settling in Downey, Calif. Being the son of a chef/farmer, he learned what hard work was at an early age. He went to school in Downey lettering in high school sports. During World War II, by Executive Order 9066 signed by the President in 1942, his family was relocated to an internment camp in Rohwer, Arkansas.

After the war the family moved back to Downey. On December 2, 1950, he married his sweetheart Noriko Nakatani. One week after his marriage he received his draft notice and was inducted into the U.S. Army from March 14, 1952 to December of 1953. Serving as an army cook in the frontlines of the Korean War, he obtained the rank of Sergeant.

After leaving the Army, Hajime and his wife Noriko moved to Westminster, Calif. where he established his farming business and raised his family. He always tried his best at being a husband, father, and then grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, three sons, and four grandchildren.