George Kurakazu

George Takashi (“Jerry”) Kurakazu died peacefully at home on October 22, 2020. He was born in Stockton, California on November 4, 1930. At one year of age, he and his brothers were sent to their grandmother’s home and spent the next ten years in Japan (Fukuoka Prefecture) for schooling. They returned to the US in 1940, and two years later his family was incarcerated in the Gila River internment camp in Rivers, AZ. They were later transferred to the Tule Lake internment camp in Newell, California before being released in early 1946. Jerry finished high school in California and then moved to Chicago where he met his future bride, Jane Hitomi Kawanaga. He joined the army in 1951 and served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 as a paratrooper until being honorably discharged. He attended trade school, opened his own business and he and Jane married in 1959. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family, whether it was weekly IHOP breakfasts (nieces and nephews included), bicycle rides, poker and hana games, his children’s sports events or craft shows (for the uncoordinated one), road trips with extended family in the summer, as well as simply hanging out, talking and laughing. He taught us the memories we make with family is everything and he made many. Jerry also loved his sports …. bowling, golfing, and especially his beloved Cubs. Win or lose he was a fan to the end. Jerry is survived by his wife of 61 years Jane; his children Susan (Paul) Tanabe, Alisa (David) Kurakazusampson, and Mara Neary. He loved being a grandfather to Christopher, Matthew, Benjiman, Andrew, Bryan, Shea and Molly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kango and Masaye, and his brothers Shisuo (Ken), Tsugio (Ron) and Shinto (Rick). Due to complications stemming from the pandemic, no service will be held.