It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of MICHIO “YOHO” KIMOTO, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Toshiko “Eileen” Kimoto, with family by his side, at the Good Samaritans West Highlands, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at the age of 99 years, 17 days short of his 100th birthday.

He was born on March 31, 1924 in Cumberland, BC, and as a child, went to both a Canadian school and a Japanese language school. At age 14, he got his first job at Royston Lumber, mainly because they wanted him and his brother Kaoru (Lefty) to play on their company baseball team. In 1942, the Kimoto family, like 22,000 other people of Japanese descent, were sent to Hastings Park to be relocated to the BC interior or further inland. At 18, Yoho and his brother Lefty were sent to Angler, Ontario, where they were interned until April 1946. After the war, Yoho made his way back out west from Ontario, to rejoin his family who were relocated near the B.C./Alberta border. He was employed at Knight Lumber, and then at Summit Limeworks, where he worked for the next 46 years as a kiln operator.

It was in Crowsnest Pass where he met and married his loving wife Toshiko “Eileen” Sato. Together, they raised seven children and became embedded in the community and surrounding area through Yoho’s love of baseball, judo, and their strong community and family values. Yoho played baseball for the Coleman Cubs, and then, for the Lethbridge Niseis. Yoho also held a black belt in judo and started the judo club in Michel Natal in BC. Yoho was also a self-taught skilled carpenter and did many odd jobs for friends and family.

In 2010, he moved to Lethbridge to be closer to family, and resided at the Gardens retirement home, where he enjoyed shuffleboard, whist, and crib. At the Gardens, Yoho also achieved another success getting a perfect crib hand with a score of 29. However, Yoho always felt his greatest achievement was his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Left to celebrate his life are his children: Barb Bockman, Richard (Maureen) Kimoto, David (Darlene) Kimoto, Beverly (Dan) Loose, Alan Kimoto, Michelle (Warren) Zeller; grandchildren: Tracy (Jim) Bystrom, Kim (Randy) Johnston, Aaron (Stephanie) Kimoto, David (Amanda) Kimoto, Tammy (Scott) Reiling, Jason (Thea) Loose, Derek (Tammy) Loose, Ashley (Jeff) Davidson, Jared (Carly) Zeller and Shilo (Jesse) Aspinall; and his 18 great-grandchildren, as well as his brother Mas Kimoto and two sisters-in-law.

Besides his loving wife Eileen, Yoho was predeceased by his infant daughter Debra, his eldest daughter Naomi and his son-in-law Gary Bockman. He is also predeceased by his parents Sanji and Kishi Kimoto, and numerous brothers, sisters and in-laws.

Special thank you to all his doctors, and all the staff at Good Samaritans West Highlands that provided great care for Yoho.

At Yoho’s request, there will be no funeral service.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2024-03-14
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta