Shun Sakuma

SAKUMA, Shun, age 85, passed away peacefully on a snow covered Friday, December 28, 2012, in the comfort of his own home. He was born in Winslow, Washington May 11, 1927, number eight of 10 children to Takeo and Nobu Sakuma; Japanese immigrants whose family motto was "Shika ta ga nai", "For the Sake of the Children, what must be, must be." On March 30, 1942, the U.S. government issued Executive Order 9066. Shun and his family were the second family forced to leave their home, berry farm and possessions on Bainbridge Island and taken to an internment camp in Arizona called Manzanar. Seeing the valor of his older brothers who fought in the 442nd Battalion (all Americans of Japanese ancestry), but being too young to join, he later enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War. Later, he moved to Minnesota in order to attend Dunwoody Institute and began his career as a service station owner and mechanic. For 26 years he was known as "Mr. Fix It" to parents and their future generation of drivers as well. On June 22, 1957 Shun married his lifelong mate, Yeiko Baba. On a small lake in Bloomington, Minnesota, they began their family of one son, Randy and one daughter Linda. In 1968, they purchased farmland in Shakopee, Minnesota and later built a home. Shun then went back to his roots and started a strawberry and raspberry u-pick. Shun was best known for his sense of humor and his generous nature. He loved walking the pathways of his farm, enjoying the wonderment of nature. Being a kid a heart, he always looked forward to playing with his grandchildren, giving them tractor rides and later in life having them climb on his lap and hold his hand. Preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Atsusa, Akira, Shinobu, Isaac and Milton. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Yeiko (nee Baba); a son Randy (Rhonda) of Waukesha, WI; daughter Linda (Michael) Schindler of Springboro and four grandchildren Ki, Erik, Elya and Jinny. Yeiko, Randy and Linda are forever grateful for the exceptional care given to Shun during his courageous 13 year battle with Alzheimer's, which gradually robbed his memoriesbut never his heart. Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life." Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, January 5, 2012 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 East Stroop Road, Kettering. Burial in David's Cemetery.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429