Kimiko Fujii Kitayama (Greenleaf)

[WillieeArmellini]

Kimiko Fujii Kitayama

Kimiko “Kimi” Fujii Kitayama, 97, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2019 at her home in

Union City, CA. Born February 11, 1922, the fourth of six children of Ryutaro and Katsu Yokobori

Fujii, Kimi grew up on the family’s Hayward carnation farm. She was a freshman at UC Berkeley

when in 1942, she and her family along with all others of Japanese descent were uprooted by

the U.S. War Relocation Authority and moved to the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah. Kimi

left the camp to attend Brigham Young University and in 1947 graduated from the University of

Wisconsin with a B.S. in Botany. After graduation, Kimi returned to Hayward to help revive and

expand the family’s carnation business. Kimi was active in the Democratic Party, leading to her

appointment to the executive board of the Democratic State Central Committee. She attended

the Democratic National Conventions in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Kimi was named Hayward’s

Distinguished Citizen for 1972 for her “tireless effort to make our community a better place and

her willingness to serve mankind by involvement.”

In 1977, Kimi married Ray Kitayama, one of the founding brothers of Kitayama Brothers Farms

and Greenleaf Wholesale Florist. They had known each other a long time as both of their

families were East Bay flower growers. Ray had become a widower with 4 children and Kimi

coming into his life was a blessing. Kimi enjoyed the flower business and loved travelling with

Ray to floral events and conventions. She was also well known and friends with KB Farms and

Greenleaf staff throughout the companies. Her greatest role was as an amazing grandmother to

her 5 grand-daughters who she loved dearly and was an inspiration to.

Kimi was predeceased by her husband Ray and her five siblings. She is survived by step-

daughter Jean (Terry Gehrke), and stepsons Stuart (Carol), Robert (Karen), and Scott (Eva).

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Memorial Service for Mr

s.

Kitayama will be held on Saturday May 4th at 2:00 at the San Lorenzo

Japanese Christian Church, 615 Lewelling Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94579.

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