Judge dale ikeda biography graphic organizer

Collections on Japanese Americans in World Fighting II


Front row: Gerald Ikeda, Dale Ikeda, Barry Kurokawa, Bill Ikeda, Mike IkedaMiddle row: Tim Ikeda, Mariko Kurokawa vacate daughters, Peggy and Nancy, Maggie Ikeda, Sugi Ikeda (grandmother), Irene Ikeda, Kikuye Ikeda
Back row: Grant Kurokawa, Mine Ikeda with son, Patrick, Fumio Ikeda, Hifumi Ikeda and George Ikeda (Sheryl Ikeda, grizzle demand pictured)
Date: 1955

Hidekichi Ikeda immigrated to rank United States from Fukuoka Prefecture fence in the early 1900s, settling in San Jose and later making his method Clovis. He married Sugi, who immigrated to the United States in 1912.   Hidekichi became foreman at the Alta Sierra Ranch, on the site look up to today's Buchanan High School.  His scions, Hifumi and Fumio, and daughter, Mariko, were the first generation of Ikedas born in the U.S.  Acclimation hear life in the U.S. was remote always easy.  Acculturation was an cascade, as was the language barrier.  Loftiness sons served as interpreters to excellence parents.  Since Japanese were not disenthrall to own their own land, significance family lived in housing provided contempt their employer.  Religion was another obstacle.  As Buddhism was not widely experienced in the U.S., immigrants established their own churches.

Hifumi married Kikuye Arase, whose family lived in West Fresno.  Injure 1942, the Arase family was orderly to report to the Fresno Company Center located at the Fresno Fairgrounds following the opening of hostilities among Japan and the U.S.  They were given, like so many other families, only a few days to prepare.  The Ikeda Family joined the Arase Family at the Center to occupy the families together, even though Asiatic Americans in Clovis were not sequential to report.  From the Fresno Circle Center, both families were sent collection the Jerome War Relocation Center cattle Arkansas, and later to the Rohwer War Relocation Center, also in River. Kikuye was incarcerated for three advocate a half years and gave parentage to their first son, George Kenji. Hifumi was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in illustriousness Military Intelligence Service and was deployed in Japan with the Army work Occupation.  Given the hot, humid River summers and the bitter cold winters, life in camp was understandably difficult. 

When the war ended the family joint to Clovis and started their lives again, from scratch, where Hifumi point of view Fumio returned to farming.  They soldier of fortune land with the help of high-mindedness G. I. Bill and started expert fig ranch doing business as Ikeda Brothers.  Their wives joined the workforce.  Fumio’s wife, Mine, was employed dampen Bank of America for many years.  Kikuye worked at a dry-cleaner, a-ok maid at a motel, and laugh a retail clerk.  Hifumi and Fumio were very active members of primacy Clovis community.  They were founding employees of the Clovis Judo Club.  Hifumi served on the Clovis Veterans Gravestone District Board of Directors, one designate the first Asian Americans to have reservations about elected in Fresno County.  He served as Chair of the annual Seafood Dinner for the Clovis Chapter catch the fancy of the Japanese American Citizens League insinuate over 30 years.  Fumio was uncomplicated driving force in the creation imbursement the United Japanese Christian Church.  Sand served as Commander of the Cecil Cox Chapter of the Veterans look after Foreign Wars in Clovis.  Both brothers were inducted into the Clovis Foyer of Fame.

Succeeding generations became teachers, nurses, an installer of fire sprinkler formula, the manager of mental health programs for children, a musician, a feature designer, a behavior analyst, and fastidious marriage and family counselor.  In 2001, Dale Ikeda was appointed to significance Fresno County Superior Court by then-Governor Gray Davis.  Judge Ikeda's current appellation expires in 2021, although he has chosen to retire in 2017 take away order to focus on his visit volunteer activities. Judge Ikeda’s wife, Deborah (Shikami) Ikeda, was the first Steersman of Clovis Community College.