Oral History O

MARGARET HATSUKO OGATA

Margaret (87) is interviewed by sister-in-law Mary Tsukamoto who contributed 11 pages of biography. There are 17 pages of photos of 7 children, many grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The 62 pages of text consist of many reminiscences of not only the interviewee but interviewer also. Margaret and family raised strawberries in pre-war Florin; she did cooking for large labor crew around Bakersfield and husband did several kinds of work around Kalamazoo and St. Joseph , Michigan , her current residence. Social life revolved around other Japanese neighbors and the Buddhist and Methodist Churches in Florin .

KOKAN OSHIRO

Oshiro (87) born in Okinawa was interviewed in Japanese. Due to age, language and involvement of several in the interpreting, translating and editing, the oral history is short with 2 pages of photos and 41 pages of text. After working as migrant laborer in Southern and Central California and couple of years in Jerome and Gila River Relocation Centers , family resettled in Florin and raised strawberries. Okinawans experienced discrimination from many and mention is made of the "Okies" He is enjoying retirement with 5 children and 8 grandchildren.

TOM OSHIRO

Born in Japan , Mr. Oshiro, 90, and a resident of Concord , CA , came to the U. S. at age 13. Thereafter, his varied life or odyssey took him over many farming areas of California as well as Kalamazoo , MI and Okinawa . With some language and educational deficiencies, he mentions often being penniless. A long stretch of 32 years was in the employ of the Prost Family in San Francisco , where he could "go all over on the city bus for 5 cents" His nomadic experiences include domestic work, chauffeuring, and working in the fields and orchards of Central California in the face of persistent discrimination.

FRED OUYE

Fred (85) is one of seven pharmacists of the two Ouye families of Sacramento . Born in Florin and after Lodi High School , he attended UC College of Pharmacy. His older brother Harold and daughter Carol (Hisatomi) were pharmacists. She later went into Law, but her husband, Aki, is a pharmacist. Harold and Fred sold out to Harold's son Loyd who runs the business at 10th and V Streets, Sacramento . As with most Nikkei, Fred suffered considerable losses--Executive Order 9066 forced him to sell out his business in Lodi . In 1946,he again sustained great loss at 4th & L Streets, Sacramento , due to Redevelopment in 1960. All members of the two Ouye families are college graduates and professionals with most going into the pharmacy business despite hardships of obtaining education during the Great Depression as well as coping with various forms of discrimination.

KENNETH HISAO OZAWA

Through hard work, supportive parents and family, Dr. Ozawa has become a respected member of the medical and larger Sacramento community. Both he and his wife, Leatrice, worked their way through college and higher professional education. He served in the Marine and Navy Medical Services. She was head nurse at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles . His philosophy was to cultivate self-respect as a Japanese American and self worth coupled with quality (Adventist) education. A positive effect of WW II (Topaz) Relocation experience was that it spread out the Nikkei community demographically and vocationally. His three daughters are also in the service professions: Carol and Dede are nurses and Amiko is a teacher.