Hidenori “Henry” Asano of French Camp died peacefully at home on August 9, 2018. Henry was born January 19, 1921 on McDonald Island just west of Stockton. He lived there until moving to Japan to go to school, but came back to Stockton with his brother, and graduated from Stockton High School. Soon after graduation he was sent to Manzanar and Tule Lake internment camps, where he married Fumiko Watanabe. They were married for 68 years. Upon returning to French Camp they successfully operated a farm for over 60 years.

   He was a kind hard working family man, who enjoyed carpentry, Japanese music, and making home movies. He was very skillful with his hands which was especially evident when working with wood and in his beautiful handwriting in both English and Japanese. In his later years he maintained a large vegetable garden and orchard which provided delicious fruits and vegetables for all his relatives and friends. He was very deeply involved in the International Farmers’ Training program, and kept in contact with the former trainees in both Japan and Brazil.

   He was preceded in death by his parents Kenichiro and Tama Asano, his wife Fumiko, and his siblings Yoshinori, Hideko, Satoko Hasegawa, and Emiko Uno, and his in-laws Kiyoshi and Chii Watanabe, Seiichi Jim (Sueko) Watanabe, Susan Ruterink and Saburo Asahina. 

   He is survived by his children Mineko Walterhouse (Douglas) of Cordova, TN, Toshio (Susan White) of Sunnyvale, and HR Asano of Vallejo; his grandchildren Lysa Walterhouse, Sarah Asano, and Kyle Asano. He is also survived by his much loved in-laws Carrie Hill (Frank) of Walnut Creek, Mary Asahina of Livermore, Cornelis Ruterink of Lafayette, and Takashi Watanabe (Sachiko) of Los Altos. He was a fond uncle to Steven (Marisa) Watanabe, Chris (Kristy) Watanabe, Kristin Watanabe, Cathryn Watanabe, Carol Hasegawa (Stan), Linda Hill (Douglas Lange), Michael Asahina and Karen Lee (Albert), as well as the next generation and many relatives in Japan.

   Visitation is on Saturday, September 1, 2018  from 

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, Hwy. 99 at Harney Ln., 14165 Beckman Road, Lodi. Memorial service will be held September 2, at 

2 p.m. at the Stockton Buddhist Temple, 2820 Shimizu Drive. Committal will be at Park View Cemetery.

French Camp

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Tuesday, August 28, 2018