Earl Kobayashi's Obituary
Earl Kobayashi passed on 17 March, 2025 at his home in Las Vegas.
Born on 29 March, 1930 in San Jose, California, Earl was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He lived a life full of happiness and laughter, leaving all who knew him in smiles.
Due to Executive Order 9066, Earl and his parents were incarcerated at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center during WWII. They were released early on the stipulation that they relocate away from coastal areas, and Earl spent his later childhood in Minneapolis before moving back to the Bay Area to finish High School. He attended university and pharmacy school at Drake University in Iowa, and served as a medic in the 2nd Division, 23rd Regiment Medical Company during the Korean War.
Earl and his wife, Mitsuko (nee Takaha), owned and ran McClard's Pharmacy in San Mateo, CA for over 40 years, retiring in 1997. Unfortunately, Mitsuko passed away later that year, just a few months after they retired. Earl was an avid golfer and fisherman, and he, Mitsuko and their daughters, Janice and Tracey spent many happy trips in their 1967 Dodge camper van hunting for geodes in Southern Oregon, fishing in the ocean, lakes and streams from Klamath to Pismo Beach, visiting parks and monuments, and of course, visiting family and friends.
A few years after Mitsuko's death, Earl met his partner, JoAnne, who shared his love of golf, good food, and travel. He and JoAnne moved to Las Vegas together in 2019, just down the street from his oldest daughter, Janice.
Earl is survived by his partner, JoAnne, his daughters Janice and Tracey, sons-in-law Michael and Craig, granddaughter Jennie and her husband, Michael, great-grandchildren Gabriel and Maya, and is missed by Janice's dogs, Kiku and Momo. A brief graveside service will be held for family at Skylawn Memorial Park on 25 April, 2025.
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