top of page

Harry Hiroshi Emoto

  • Feb 17, 2014
  • 2 min read

April 12, 1921 - February 18, 2014

Harry Hiroshi Emoto Obituary ( Age 92) Our beloved Dad, Harry Emoto, passed away on February 18, 2014. Dad was one of the nicest men that you would ever want to meet. He made friends wherever he went. He lived in the west central neighborhood where all five of his children grew up. He never wanted to leave Spokane and lived his whole life as a Spokane Boy which was how he referred to the Japanese Americans who grew up there. He has now gone to Heaven to be with his wife Hatsue, our Mother. In his last weeks he was recovering from a minor stroke but then contracted pneumonia and passed away quickly. Harry was the firstborn child to Kataemon and Hamano Emoto. He was born on April 12, 1921 in Spokane, WA. At the age of 5, his family moved to Japan. He attended school there and after graduating from high school moved back to the United States to Ritzville, WA. His parents arranged a wedding for him to a girl back in Japan, which was a fairly common occurrence in those days. His lovely wife Hatsue was born in Denver, Colorado and coincidently her family also moved back to Japan. After they were married they moved to Spokane and operated the Broadway Dry Cleaning business for many years. Dad also worked for the Great Northern Railroad for 36 years and worked different positions including being a redcap, mail gang, janitor and even setting the clock in the GN depot building which is now the Riverfront Parks clock tower. Harry was a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and a proud member of the Railway Brotherhood. When he was a young man he attended the Seiki Kan Judo School and attained a black belt degree. He loved to fish at the area lakes, hunt for mushrooms in the mountains, and enjoyed helping out at the church doing whatever was needed. He was a meticulous record keeper and kept notes on every transaction and life event. Harry is survived by his children Tom (Judy) Emoto, James (Beverly) Emoto, John Emoto, Jerry (Linda) Emoto, Connie (Bob) Birr; sisters Hisako Akiyama, Shizuko Mita, Jean Okazaki; grandchildren Todd(Katrina) Emoto, Jason(Dawna) Emoto, Shannon(Kevin) Birr, Ryan(Alia) Birr, Katie Emoto, Ellie Emoto; great-grandchildren Aaron Emoto, Mika Emoto, Daman McConnell-Birr, Lily Emoto, Lexi Emoto; and numerous nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hatsue, his sister Jeannie and his brother Joe. Funeral Services will be held at Highland Park Methodist Church on Saturday March 29th at 12:00 noon. Handicap parking on back of church on Conklin Street with entrance on south end. Everyone who had the pleasure to know Harry are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Highland Park Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield, Spokane, Wa. 99202.

 
 
 

Comments


Resources from Heritage

obituary listings

Dealing with
Loss

The loss of a loved one is an emotionally and spiritually challenge time for everyone.  This free guide provides guidance, resources and hope for those mourning a loss.

creating your plan_edited.jpg

Planning
Ahead

Do you have a plan for your memorial or burial?  Click below for valuable resources and information about creating your plan.

comsulation P_edited.jpg

Pre-Planning

Guide 

This free guide to planning your memorial provides a place to organize all your critical information and explains the different options and benefits of creating your plan.

bottom of page