James Shigeo Harai's Obituary
Captain James Shigeo Harai, U.S. Army (Retired), age 76, of Lakewood, WA passed away at 8:15 on the morning of May 24, 2016. Jim was born on September 23, 1939 to Hajime Harai and Hagino (Nakano) Harai in Kona, Hawaii.
He is survived by his wife of two-and-a-half years, Cheryl Harai, his stepson, Tyrel Kuebler, and his sister-in-law, Christy Ramos.
He is also survived by his former wife of over 50 years, Sumiko Harai, and their 5 children, Barbara Harai Boyett, Jim, Jr., Jerry, John (Bridget), and Jason (Robyn). He leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Roxi Boyett, Jessica Harai, Alyssa Boyett, Jerry Harai, Jr., Keanna Wheeler, Kyle Harai, Isaac Harai, Lahna Harai, and Benten Harai. He leaves behind great-grandchildren Emaleigh, Jazzlen, Javonni, and Henry, Jr.
He is also survived by his sister Faith Harai Shimizu and her husband Kenneth Nakamura, his eldest brother, George Harai (Elaine), and his younger brother, Norman Harai (Ellen).
Jim is preceded by his granddaughter CopperRose, his sister Gladys Harai Kukita and her husband Jimmy Kukita, his brother Samuel Harai, his baby sister, May Harai, and brother-in-law Jimmy Shimizu.
Jim served his country in the U.S. Army for 20 years. After serving in the Vietnam War as an enlisted soldier with the 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, he returned to Fort Benning, GA as a Sergeant First Class and attended the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, and then sent back to fight in the Vietnam War. In spite of the incredibly high mortality rate for 2nd Lieutenants, Jim survived and was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. Jim retired Honorably as a Captain in 1976.
As a young man, Jim started his judo career at the Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission Judo Dojo under senseis Yasayuki Sakabe and H. Kimura. This marked the beginning of a journey that would impact countless lives. Everywhere he was stationed, he shared his love for judo and started new dojos, including the first dojo in Asmara, Ethiopia. In Vietnam, Jim taught judo to soldiers and villagers alike. While stationed in Okinawa, Jim was the Assistant Sensei to Tsuro Fukushima. Fukushima Sensei and Harai Sensei ran one of the strongest high school judo programs.
While stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, Jim took over the Tacoma Fife Judo Club from retiring Iwakiri Sensei. Tacoma Judo Club became one of largest judo clubs in the Pacific Northwest. Jim was also a certified National referee, and served the judo community in that capacity for approximately 35 years, eventually reaching the judo rank of Shichidan (seventh degree).
Under his leadership, Tacoma Judo produced and influenced many black belts, who went on to plant new judo clubs and to contribute to the judo community in the Northwest and around the world. Sensei Harai had the privilege of teaching and contributing to the development of hundreds of judo players over the years, including Keith Nakasone, Kevin Asano, and Travis Stevens, young people who grew up to represent the United States as Olympians.
A close rival to Jim’s passion for judo was his love for fishing sturgeon on the Columbia River. He was also known for his love of air horns and his ability to fix anything (usually with duct tape). His students will remember him as a tough but loving and generous teacher. His grandchildren and other loved ones miss his sweet greeting, “Hello, dear.”
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, with full Military Honors at 1:30 PM, Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Mountain View Funeral Home (Lakewood, WA). A reception will follow and continue until 5:00 PM.
Jim’s final resting place will be the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punch Bowl in Hawaii. A service with an Honor Guard will be held there on June 9, 2016 at 9:30 AM.
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