Obituary of Frank Yamamoto

Frank Y. Yamamoto passed away on Wednesday, January 14 around 3:05am at his home, with family by his side. He courageously battled lung cancer for many years, along with diabetes and other ailments. He was 86.Born in August of 1928 in Redondo Beach California to immigrant farmers from Tomochimachi, Kumamoto-ken, he grew up in Oceanside and attended Oceanside-Carlsbad Union High School. As a boy, he suffered from the loss of his mother, and sibling. During World War 2 his family was interned at Poston Camp 1 in Arizona.Frank met his wife, Sonoko, in South Hadley Massachusetts in 1976. They were married in Eugene on August 5, 1984. He was a wonderful husband, a caring father to his daughters from his first marriage, as well as a truly kind person.Most of Frank’s career was with Monsanto, first in Personnel, and later as a Chemical Engineering Technician. He was with the company for more than 30 years before retiring. An enduring friendship with his boss, Dick Huff, developed during those years and continued into retirement.Frank was a terrific bowler, and loved to play golf, creating many friendships along the way. Bowling tournaments provide a way of traveling the country, including Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma and Utah among others. Frank and his wife also vacationed in Japan, California, Florida, Vancouver, Los Vegas and Hawaii.We expected to spend more time with him, and are deeply sadden by his passing. We take solace in knowing he is no longer suffering.Predeceased by his parents, Kanzo and Sae; brother Johnny, Henry and James; and sister Hisaye; as well as his daughter Linda. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Sonoko; daughter Carol; stepsons Thomas, and Douglas; Paul Desoto and other relatives.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. A small service will be held at Lane Memorial Gardens.