Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home

Remembering

Kinji Hiramoto

Kinji Hiramoto, a life-long Lodi, California resident, passed away on February 25, 2010.  He was 88. Kinji was born to Jitsuro and Takayo (Tamura) Hiramoto on September 7, 1921 in Lodi. He graduated from Lodi High School, class of 1940, and attended Muskingham College in Ohio. He returned to Lodi to assist the family in farming the vineyards from 1945-1960. In 1952 he married Terry Ogata and they continued to make their home in Lodi.  Kinji then entered the accounting field where he became a Certified Public Accountant, working in Stockton for over 30 years, retiring in 1991.

Kinji was always an active member of the Lodi Buddhist Church. He served several terms as President, and served as Chairman for many services in the church. In addition, he served as a Dharma School teacher for many years. He was also a member of the Lodi Japanese American Citizens League, where he was awarded distinguished honors for his outstanding service over the years.

Kinji still found time to be an avid sports fan and rooted for the S.F. Giants, Sacramento Kings, and the S.F. 49ers. Golfing was a real favorite, and he was a member of the Mokuyo-Kai Golf Club in Lodi. He also enjoyed photography, playing his harmonica, and volunteering for many civic and church activities in Lodi.

Kinji is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Terry Hiramoto; his children and their spouses, Stacie Hiramoto (Ken Koyama) of Sacramento, CA,  David Hiramoto (Nora Fong) of Los Altos, CA,  Patti Hiramoto (Wayne Komure) of Monterey, CA,  and Lorel Hiramoto (Adrienne Perry) of San Mateo, CA; grandchildren, Tadao Koyama of Santa Cruz, CA, Kazuo Koyama of Sacramento, CA,  Jennifer Hiramoto of West Covina, CA,  and Kenneth Hiramoto of Santa Barbara, CA; siblings, John Hiramoto (Ruby) of El Cerrito, CA,  Yukiye Onizuka of San Jose, CA,  Masako Fujikawa (Hiroshi) of Lodi, CA, Keiko Hiramoto Hess (Claude M.) of El Sobrante, CA,  and Edward Hiramoto of Berkeley, CA; and 22 nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lodi Buddhist Church, 23 N. Stockton Street in Lodi.

The Funeral Planning Committee Meeting will be held on Friday, March 5th, 7:00 p.m. at the Church Annex.