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ABE, JAMES, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Sacramento on July 2, 2013. An 86 yr. resident of the area when the Florin/Elk Grove area was primarily agricultural. James graduated from Elk Grove H.S. in 1942 at the beginning of WWII. But about 2 weeks before he could receive his diploma, he and his parents (Masatoshi & Shige Abe) were interned at relocation camps in Fresno, CA, Jerome, AR, and Gila, AZ. He was a successful farmer, small businessman, and Certified Nurseryman managing many Farmco & Gemco Garden Centers & Stores. James was an active member and leader of the Florin Buddhist Temple. He was a well known "Master of Ceremonies" for many weddings and singer for many other Florin Community functions for over 40 years. One little known aspect of James' accomplishments in his late teen years, is that he attained a 1st Degree Black Belt in the ancient Japanese sport of "Kendo," where he participated in tournaments through-out California & Japan. Retiring in 1986, he was an active ballroom dancer with his wife Betty in social dancing clubs, an avid golfer, and active sports fan of the SF Giants & 49'ers. James very much enjoyed the many championships these team brought to Northern California. One of his hobbies was as an amateur photographer and historian of the Florin area, for instance he preserved pictures of quickly disappearing old farm wood tower buildings used for water tanks. He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Sadako Abe; his 4 sons & daugthers-in-laws, Ernest (Laura), Martin (Eva), Calvin (Cheryl), and Raymond (Laura); 5 grandchildren, Noelle, Joseph, Miyako, Cameron and Garrett Abe and great grandchild, Camille. He is and will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at Florin Buddhist Road, 7235 Pritchard Rd., near the corner of Florin Rd. on Saturday, July 13, at 3:00pm. - Information from the Sacramento Bee |
