Shigeji Naito's Obituary
Shigeji Naito
Shigeji Naito March 22, 1931 – October 9, 2018. Shig passed away at his home in San Leandro, CA. He is survived by his wife Namie, his children, Stephanie Naito, Barton Naito and Wendy Samiljan, Tina and Rocky Medeiros and his four grandchildren Daniel Naito, Matthew Medeiros, Emily Naito and Mason Medeiros, his sisters Sumi Okita and Amy Naito, sisters and brothers-in-law Amy Naito, Nana Naito, Ray and Emi Yamanishi, Louie and Irene Yamanishi, Kay Yoshizaki, Sy Yamanishi and Henry Yamaoka and many nieces and nephews. Shig was predeceased by his parents Shigeo and Tsuru Naito, daughter Ellen Naito, siblings Michi Ikeda, Tak Naito, Sets Kimura, Mits Naito, Mari Hiyama, brothers-in-law Toru Ikeda, Kiyo Okita, Roger Hiyama, Akiji Yamanishi, Takeshi Yoshizaki, sister-in-law Helen Yamaoka and father and mother-in-law Tadao and Asayo Yamanishi. Shig was born in Fresno, California on March 22, 1931. He was the fifth of eight children born to Shigeo Naito and Tsuru Kodama. Shig attended Lovell Grammar school in the Cutler-Yettem area of Central California before being sent to Poston Relocation Center where he was interned from 1942 to 1945. While in Poston, Arizona he attended Block III Junior High and one year of High School. In July 1945 the family went to Honeyville, Utah where Shig attended Box Elder High School in Brigham City until the family returned to California in November 1946. Shig graduated from Reedley High School in 1948, Reedley College, AA in 1950 and Woodbury College, BBA in 1953. In 1953 Shig joined the US Army where he was stationed in Kentucky, Indiana and Maryland. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Shig returned to California to attended Golden Gate University in San Francisco, graduating with his second BBA in 1957. He worked for L. H. Penney & Company, a CPA firm from 1956 to 1958. In 1958 Shig began a 27-year career at the County, he started as an auditor, moved into the newly-created data processing department as a COBOL programmer and rose through various management positions to become the Deputy Chief of Systems, retiring in 1983. His retirement was short lived though, as he soon returned to work for San Francisco Community College as Chief of Systems retiring in 1992. Following his second retirement Shig served on the Grand Jury for Alameda County, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Health Benefits Trust – Board of Directors and continued to be active in Wanto Hiroshima Nikkeijin Kai, Eden JACL, Buddhist Church of Oakland and Eden Community Center Activities. Memorial Service will be held at the Buddhist Church of Oakland. 825 Jackson Street Oakland on Saturday October 20, 2018 at 11:00 am.
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