Joe Tokunaga

Joe Tokunaga passed away peacefully at his home on July 20, 2005. He was born on June 20, 1922 in Redmond, Wash. He was the second son of a family of five children born to Torahiko and Tori Tokunaga.

He graduated from Redmond High School in 1941. When World War II started, his family moved to Quincy, Wash. to avoid confinement in an internment camp in Idaho. In Quincy, his family worked on a farm owned by the Cedergreen Food Processors. In 1945, the family decided to strike out on their own and moved to a farm in Moses Lake in Mae Valley. They raised potatoes under the help and guidance of George Schuster. Joe prospered through the years and the relationship with George Schuster that started out as "helper in need" eventually became a friendship that lasted a lifetime.

Joe was married in 1953 to Fudge Sasaki of Tacoma, Wash. He continued to farm with his brother, Harold, until his brother passed away in 1987. Since that time, his son, Steve, entered the partnership and eventually Joe passed all the responsibility of the farm to Steve.

Joe served on the Sugar Beet Board for many years, serving as president just before the plant closed. He also served on the Potato Commission, Governor's Commission on Asian Affairs and the Basin Buddhist Church. He had been enjoying retirement, taking trips to Japan, Alaska, Mexico and most recently a cruise on the Panama Canal.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, a son and many friends and relatives.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at the Moses Lake Convetion Center.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.