Satoru Yamagata

Satoru Yamagata was born on July 19, 1929 to Utasuke Arima and Matsu Yamagata in Waialua, Hawaii: the seventh of ten children. Growing up in Hawaii, he worked in the sugar and pineapple fields as well as the pineapple cannery. At Waialua High School, he excelled in team sports: football, baseball, and basketball. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served 2 years as a radio operator during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Hawaii. Corporal Yamagata fulfilled a promise to his friend, Kiyoshi Shoji, and visited his mother, Mrs. Umeko Shoji. He also met his Kiyoshi’s sister, Joan Shoji.

Satoru left Hawaii to attend California Polytechnic College, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He went to work at TRW and married Joan on February 15, 1958. The two of them settled in San Pedro, where they lived in the same house for 62 years. He was a supportive and loving father to his 3 children: JoAnne, Nelson, and Todd. He coached his sons’ baseball and basketball teams and was always available to help his daughter.

Satoru Yamagata was 93 years old when he passed. People remember him as reliable, warm, and caring. He worked hard and was a steadfast and loyal friend. He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Joan Yamagata; his children, JoAnne, Nelson(Naomi), and Todd(Hope); his grandchildren, Jonah (Katie), Tyrus (Ria), Hannah, Matthew, and Joshua; his great-grandchildren, Rosemary and Molly; and his sister, Jean Shimizu.