Seiji Sawada

Seiji Sawada passed from this life on May 30, 2006. He was born on October 7, 1929 in Elk Grove, Calif.

Seiji spent his early years on the family farm in Sacramento County. When he was 13 years of age, his family of nine was forced to leave their home and placed in internment camps. At the end of World War II the family farm was gone and they returned to Japan. Seiji went to work as an interpreter for the U.S. government.

He returned to the states in 1954 and served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He met his life companion, Maxine, through friends and they were married in 1956.

Seiji's pride and joy was his son, Carey, who completed their family the following year.

Seiji retired from Pay N Pak Home Centers in Spokane after 25 years.

He was a very hard working, dedicated employee.

Seiji was accomplished in Judo. He taught this Japanese martial art at Big Bend Community College. He loved baseball and coached for many years as well as playing into his 60s. Seiji enjoyed gardening but he really loved fishing.

Seiji is survived by his wife of 50 years: Maxine, his son, Carey (Cynthia), grandson Brenton Gibbs (Amanda), great-grandchildren Hunter and Isabella, his brother Art Sawada and sisters Midori Ishida and Mitzi Okubo, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of the staff at the Life Care Center of Kennewick.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 3 at Hillcrest Memorial Center, 9353 W. Clearwater Ave. Kennewick at 1 p.m. For more information or to sign the guestbook, go to www.HillcrestMemorialCenter.com.