Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Born in 1925, Joe Furutani was the youngest son born to Fukumatse and Tomi Furutani in El Monte, California. He joined two brothers, Sam and George, along with one sister, Tazuko, in the family.

His parents owned a big farm in El Monte. It was a very successful farm and gave Joe a lifelong love of animals. The family was very close, but in February 1942, soon after the beginning of World War II, President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order that allowed the government to take property owned by any Americans of Japanese heritage. The family was separated and sent to several internment camps. Joe was sent to the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming. He was only 16-years-old when he was sent to the camp which was surrounded by barbed wire. Two years later, he graduated from the Heart Mountain High School at the relocation center. Even though he was an American citizen, he was told to relocate. He moved to Japan to be with family. For the next ten years, he remained in Japan, even playing professional baseball. During his baseball years from the late 40's into the early 50's, he met baseball great Joe DiMaggio. When a shoulder injury sidelined his baseball career, he returned to the United States in 1952.

Back in the United States, it was difficult for Joe to find a job, but he was tenacious. He found work helping in landscaping properties for homeowners. In 1957, he returned to Japan, where he decided to take a bus tour that changed his life forever. He fell in love with his tour guide, Mihoko. The couple was married March 19, 1957, and by June, Mihoko joined Joe in California. First, they lived with his parents and then they bought a beautiful home in Sun Valley. It would be a home they would share for the next 50 years together. Joe worked hard in landscaping and he graduated to maintain properties, developing a gardening business. He was very successful. Joe did such a good job for his customers, he retained them as clients for 20 to 30 years.

In 1961, the couple welcomed their only son, Craig, into the world. Joe was so proud to have a son. He was a good father who taught Craig how to ride a bike, how to fly a kite, and how to fish. When Craig was in Little League, Joe didn't miss a game. The family enjoyed camping trips every summer with cousins and other relatives. Craig remembers his father cooking breakfast before the sun came up so they could go fishing all day long. At night, they cooked marshmallows around the campfire. As Craig grew up, he shared a few years of bowling and golfing with his dad. Mihoko also took a great interest in bowling and golfing. Mihoko was by Joe's side as they traveled to hundreds of golf courses around the country. On one trip to Hawaii, the couple golfed at a different golf course every single day during their two week vacation. There were trips to Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and other cities to enjoy the sights and the beautiful golf courses. One time, Joe shot a hole in one on the Los Robles golf course on a par 3. While bowling in many tournaments, Joe also won dozens of awards as his average bowling score was a consistent 180. Mihoko and Joe traveled and enjoyed life with their son.

His favorite music over the years included Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk, and Russell Watson. He had a great love for his many pet dogs over the years who served as his faithful companions, especially his most recent yellow Labrador named Chako. He loved spoiling his dogs. Joe Furutani will be remembered by his many faithful customers as a kind and loyal man who listened to their stories. He loved people and was devoted to his customers until the end of his days. In fact, he received an award for 30 years of excellent gardening service from the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Joe Furutani taught everyone about rising above circumstances with strength, honor, and wisdom. Family was always his priority. He loved his wife and he was so proud of his son. Everyone knew that they were loved by Joe through his generosity and kindness. His wife will miss his constant companionship while his son will miss spending time with his dad. In the end, his family honored his final wishes to go in peace.