George Yutaka Iwasa

George Yutaka Iwasa was born October 19, 1926 in Hood River, OR, the only child of Inosuke and Harue Iwasa. George's life was characterized by hard work, solid moral values, and hardships turned into blessings. His parents owned a small orchard in the Hood River Valley. George's father, like many Japanese immigrants, had come to America to make his fortune. He was a religious Buddhist. He looked forward to the day when George would turn 15, the family would sell their assets in America and return to Japan, and George would then join a monastery as a Buddhist monk. Although this was definitely not George's desire for himself, his father was very strict and, in the Japanese tradition, he did not openly oppose his father's plan. The plan progressed. George attended Franklin School in Hood River, and moved on to his freshman year in high school. Outside of school, he attended Japanese language and religion classes. However, just six weeks after his 15th birthday, something happened that changed everything. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, the United States was pulled into World War II and all Japanese Americans living near the West Coast were sent to internment camps. To most Japanese Americans, this abrupt and unjust act was a tragedy that disrupted lives, tore apart families, and robbed them of their hard-earned resources. However, to 15-yr-old American George, there was a silver lining: he had escaped the plan to become a monk! A hardship turned into a blessing. George's father sold his hard-earned orchard and home for a pittance, still hoping to return to Japan someday. For the next 3 ½ years, the family was interned at Tule Lake, CA and Heart Mountain, WY. The internees who fared the best in the harsh conditions were those who kept themselves busy. George joined the Boy Scouts and played baseball, making new friends. He was graduated from Heart Mountain High School on May 24, 1945. Shortly after his graduation, with the war over, the family was released, and George was free to pursue a career and get on with his life. He attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry, graduating February 6, 1948. He moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked with another eye doctor who taught him successful business practices, including to "dress for success". Not too much later, however, a twist of fate again altered George's plan: he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Usually George was not one to complain about what life threw at him, but he said this struck him as extremely unfair: he and his family had been sent away from their home and imprisoned because they weren't considered loyal Americans, and now he was drafted to serve in the American Army. There was nothing to do, however, but to go along. In the Army, George encountered racism in yet another way: although he was a practicing optometrist, since he was Japanese, he was not allowed to practice as a doctor. Instead, he was assigned the entry-level job of a dispensing optician. This was clear act of discrimination, but George turned it into a blessing. By working on the eyeglasses themselves, and dispensing them to patients-something optometrists do not usually do--George learned every aspect of the optometric practice and trade, from beginning to end. This served to equip him with comprehensive skills that served for later success in running his own practice. Again, a hardship became a blessing. While in Portland, on a temporary leave from the Army, George met Elsie Tanaka on a blind date. They stayed in touch throughout the two years George served in the military during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge from the army in 1952, George moved to the Payette/Ontario area at his parents' request. Although thoroughly an American, he was still a respectful Japanese son, and understood the obligation to take care of his parents who had moved to this area. Their request involved the need for an optometrist to serve the Japanese American community. Following the war, racial prejudice continued to make their lives difficult and they wanted an eye doctor who would not discriminate. Ontario was a little more favorable to the Japanese; in the commercial center that Payette was at the time, more businesses still had "No Japs" signs in their windows. This situation steeled George's will to prove that Japanese Americans were good people-hard working and honest. So, instead of retreating to the relatively more welcoming town, George chose to locate his practice in Payette, just around the corner from Main Street. He put his shoulder to the wheel to provide excellent optometric care and patient satisfaction to Japanese Americans and the greater community. He opened for business in February, 1953. It wasn't easy at first. Some days there was just one patient on the schedule. But with time, the practice grew. George worked hard, eventually drawing patients even as far away as Council, Jordan Valley, and Boise. In time he opened a satellite clinic in Cambridge to better serve his patients from the Upper Country. While George was getting his career underway, he was also working on his personal life. His friendship with Elsie had grown and turned into courtship. When he hinted at marriage, she explained that she did not believe it was wise to be married to someone outside of one's faith. This led to discussions of what it was that each believed. With her encouragement, George began studying the Bible. In time, he was baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.

The two married in June, 1953 in Ontario, Oregon. In 1954 Elsie gave birth to their first son, Steve. Two years later, a daughter, Deborah was born. Tragically, however, at age 13 months the baby girl became ill and passed away. This was a devastating loss to both George and Elsie, who grieved deeply. But once again, a hardship preceded a blessing. Four tries later with no baby girl resulted in the Iwasa family that we know today. George and Elsie became parents to five boys in all: Steve, Bruce, Doug, Dan, and Dave.

From the beginning, George and Elsie shared some particular values for which they became known. Hospitality was one of these. Numerous people from far and near have fond memories of being in their home. It was a normal Sabbath afternoon that they hosted dinner for visitors. They hosted state politicians, church officials, pastors, literature evangelists, school banquets, people they met in restaurants, children, friends, and children of friends. All were regarded as equally welcome. George loved to make Chinese food, especially his famous fried rice. In fact, he learned it because of his own hospitality. He and Elsie had met a young cook at a Chinese restaurant in Portland. This young man took George and Elsie up on their offer to "come stay with us if you ever come through". While visiting for a few days he taught George some of his "restaurant secrets" and George in turn, used those lessons to bless others from then on. He cooked Chinese food for fundraisers, family dinners, parties, and loved to take fried rice as a gift of love to others. George's thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and sympathetic concern for a person ill, grieving, or burdened, was a big part of who he was. His language of love was tangible acts of kindness. He would appear at one's door with a gift of food, bones for the dog, or other practical gift that said he cared. He was most comfortable in the role of service and his habit was to put others first. With his wife, George believed strongly in Christian education. They sponsored several nieces and nephews to attend Gem State Adventist Academy, and sacrificed to send their own five sons to Adventist schools because of their solid beliefs. This was their favorite "charity" and he continued to support and volunteer for these schools for the rest of his life.
As a doctor, George was very committed to providing superior patient care and responsive customer service. As a doctor and businessman, his focus was always first on the needs of the patient before financial considerations. He included frames repair in his business to help people prolong the life of their glasses when needed and always strived to carry products that were superior value. And he was generous; many a child received eyeglasses free when their parents could not afford them. He enjoyed his patients; Dr. George loved people. When he retired, he never really quit. He kept serving--and thriving-because of his love for helping others. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, George and Elsie valued having a close family. If a test of a person's character is their reputation within their own family, then George shines like gold. He was a reliable and nurturing father; a generous and non-judgmental father-in-law; a playful and loving grandpa, and a kind and patient husband. His pride and pleasure in his sons was obvious. He may not have agreed with each of their choices-parents rarely do--but he respected them for the men they had become, and never expressed judgment for their decisions. He was not only a wonderful father, but he was an amazing father-in-law. That same supportive, non-judgmental acceptance was offered to each of the women his sons married, as well.
To his grandchildren, Grandpa George was extremely funny and playful. They were the light of his life. He loved to tease them, cook for them, help them with school projects, and make things for them in his shop. They have enjoyed doll houses, painting easels, Lego tables, and more-all gifts from Grandpa George. But the best gift was the laughter he taught to their fathers. It is now a staple all Iwasa homes. As a husband, George was kind, patient, and loving. In middle age, his wife was diagnosed with some painful and debilitating health complications. As her needs increased, Elsie came to rely completely on the love and care of her patient husband, George. She adored him for this. George cared for her until her death almost three years ago. He is a model to married people for honoring the vows he took 57 years before. George's fun-loving attitude and sense of humor characterized his family. When the boys grew up and started families of their own, there was nothing they liked better than to get together with the whole family. Through love and acceptance, George and Elsie succeeded in raising a family that still sticks together. When asked how he managed to have such a close family, George would humbly give credit to having a good wife. But those who knew him, knew that he was a strong force of love and acceptance himself. George passed away Saturday, June 15, 2013. He is preceded in death by his wife, Elsie; his daughter, Deborah; and his granddaughter Lauren McDonald. He is survived by his sons and their families: Dr. Steve and Sue Iwasa, with Ben Iwasa, and his great granddaughters Kierra and Kaori McDonald; Bruce and Valerie Iwasa with Aubrianne, Andralyn, Joben, and Jillana; Doug and Angela Iwasa with Seth; Dr. Dan and Yvonne Iwasa with Carly, Makoto and Chloe'; and David and Kathy Iwasa with Kaily and Dawson. Dr. George loved much and was much loved by his family, church, patients, and friends far and wide. While he rests in Jesus, we look forward to the day when we will be reunited. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 6, at 3 pm at Four Rivers Cultural Center, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, George would request that donations be made to Treasure Valley Seventh-day Adventist School, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.

Service Details.

Service

When: Saturday, July 6th, 2013
Location: Funeral Home
Address: