Harry Hiroshi Ota Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Harry Hiroshi Ota died on April 1, 2017 in Draper, Utah from kidney failure. He was born June 24, 1923, the first son and second child of Ryoji Ota and Yaeno Nigo in Lincoln, Placer County, California. Harry completed 8th grade and decided that working and earning money would be the best route to take to get started in life. He spent his work life learning to farm and raise citrus trees and fruit for sale. Later, he would focus on raising mink for the fur trade, and raising strawberries on his small property in Draper. After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and brought the US into World War II, the Ota family was forced to participate in the relocation of individuals and families of Japanese descent and spent the war years in Tule Lake Internment Camp in Northern California. Harry became one of the "No-No" boys and spent time in Oregon, separated from his parents and brothers. At the end of the war, Harry was released and stayed to be paid to help in closing the camp. Later, he joined his family in Sandy and then Draper, Utah, to be nearer the Akagi family, since Harry's sister, Shizuyo was married to Utaka Akagi. He learned to cut hair and would cut hair of his nephews as occasion required. Harry was an active member of the Japanese Church of Christ serving as a deacon, until poor health prevented him from driving or attending services. While he never married he was an uncle to 2 nieces and 4 nephews. He will be remembered for taking his niece and nephews to Disneyland and going fishing, raising strawberries, and providing fresh produce from his large garden for family, friends, and neighbors. Harry loved to play keno while passing through or staying in Las Vegas and would tell you of winning some big bucks. He enjoyed fishing in earlier years and later spending time with his good friends Tom and Connie Ennis and Tom and Ingrid Anguay. Harry spent nearly 19 years living comfortably with his nephew Michael and Sandi Akagi in Draper, after his own house needed to be demolished. Survived by nieces Pauline (Melvin Sullivan) Akagi, Shauna (Daren Pearce) Ota, nephews Mark (Susan), Kenneth (Mary), Michael (Sandra), Troy (Cindy) Akagi, and sister-in-law, Shigeko Ota. Preceded in death by his parents, sister, Shizuyo "Suzie" Akagi, brother-in-law, Yutaka Akagi,and brothers Jack and Joe Yoshio Ota. His family would like to thank caregivers from Visiting Angels, staff members of Intermountain Homecare and Hospice, Probst Family Funerals, and the Japanese Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers please consider a generous donation to Intermountain Foundation Homecare and Hospice, 11520 S Redwood Road, South Jordan, UT 84095, or online at www.FoundationForHomecare.org. Viewing will be held at The Japanese Church of Christ, 268 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT, on Saturday, April 15, 2017, 9AM with the funeral service immediately after from10:00 to 11AM. Burial at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy.

Harry Hiroshi Ota

June 24, 1923 - April 1, 2017