Obituary: Fukai, Henry

FUKAI, Henry Hideo
(Age 89)

Formerly of Spokane, died at University Place, WA, on Saturday, Aug. 11, after a series of illnesses.

He was 89.
Born in Portland, OR, on April 17, 1923, Mr. Fukai survived tuberculosis as a child.

Orphaned at age 10, he had to evacuate along with the rest of the Japanese American population after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

He spent two years at a relocation center in Tule Lake, California, then enlisted in the army and served in the occupation of Japan.

Following his discharge, he settled in Spokane with some of his brothers and sisters.
He worked as a dispatcher for Bekins Moving and Storage and, after graduating from Kinman Business College, moved back to Portland, then on to San Francisco.

He worked as a computer programmer for Union Oil until his retirement in 1985.

In 2002 he moved to University Place.
Though never married and having no children, Mr. Fukai served as “Uncle Hank” to everybody, including many people to whom he was not technically related.

Unfailingly thoughtful and kind, he remembered every birthday with cards and gifts.

He was particularly generous to his sister, Namiko Hijiya, and her three children, Robert, Janice, and Jim.
Mr.

Fukai is survived by his sister, Namiko; formerly of Spokane but now living in University Place, and many nieces and nephews, including David Heyamoto and Douglas Heyamoto of Spokane.

Mr. Fukai will be buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.