Fred W. Taniguchi

Fred W. Taniguchi WASHINGTON TERRACE – Fred Wataru Taniguchi crossed into the Pure Land at the age of 96 on April 4, 2010. He was born on February 10, 1914 in Dinuba, California to Shizuto Taniguchi and Kazuko Taketani. Raised and educated in Hiroshima, Japan, by his uncle, Tadashi Taniguchi, he returned to the United States at the age of 16. He worked in Washington and Montana returning to California to marry Hiroko (Ferry) Okura, his wife of 69 years, on June 15, 1941 in Los Angeles. During World War II in 1942, Fred and Ferry were voluntary evacuees who relocated to Price, Utah (Ferry’s home town) where they owned and operated three successful restaurants, with the invaluable assistance of Ferry’s mother, Kosue Okura: the Price Café, Frontier Café, and Crest Café. They retired from the restaurant business in 1976 and made Washington Terrace their home in 1990. Fred was a long-time leader in the Japanese/American communities in Carbon and Emery counties where he was president of the Kyo Ai Kai. He was a member of the Ogden Buddhist Church and long time member of the Japanese American Citizens League. In his younger years, Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing. Later in life, his passion was golfing with his family and good friends. He took pride in his home and yard, and loved animals. Fred also enjoyed traveling, and visited his ancestral home in Japan many times. He and Ferry took advantage of their many years of retirement after working so hard at their restaurants. They went on many cruises with their children and spoke fondly of their experiences in exotic places warm and cold. He is survived by his wife and seven children, Alice Suekawa (Harry), Washington Terrace; Sherry Miyashiro (Charles), Corte Madera, CA; Bob Taniguchi (Nancy), Merced, CA; Joanne Kanehara (Chet), Sandy, UT; Jeanne Ogden (Tom), Price, UT; Jeff Taniguchi (Sandie), Vernal, UT; Debby Taniguchi (Jeff Worsham), Morgantown, WV. Also, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his uncle Tadashi. Funeral Services will be held at the Ogden Buddhist Church on Monday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m., Reverend Jerry Hirano officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Seven Day service at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., immediately following interment. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com