Obituary of Takeshi Fred Kushida

Takeshi Fred Kushida
December 13, 1929 – August 16, 2024
Sacramento, California.

Takeshi Fred Kushida passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on August 16, 2024, at the age of 94. He is survived by his children, Irene (Richard), Jean (Kyle), Janet (Manuel), Victor (Pat), Steven,sister Marian, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife,Toyoko, mother, Yurino, father Choichi, stepfather Kajiro, siblings Akito “Aki”, Hatsuye “Hats”, Tom Yukio, Frank Shigeki, and Shigeko.

Fred was born in Auburn, CA and spent his early years with his family in Placer County before World War II. Because of his family’s Japanese heritage, they were interned at the Tule Lake Internment Camp. Upon being released, they settled in the Freeport area of south Sacramento.

Life was a struggle for the Kushida family, like most Japanese after camp. As a teenager, to make ends meet, Fred would travel
with his brother Yuki on weekends and summers from south Sacramento to Penryn in Placer County. There, they would be fortunate enough to work harvesting fruit in the orchards. Fred attended Clarksburg High, which is now Delta High, and graduated in 1947.

Soon after, Fred was drafted in the US Army during the Korean War. After boot camp, he was assigned into the Communication/ Signal Corp where he got his first experience in electronics. During the war, he was sent to Tokyo Japan and assigned as a technician in the Signal Corp. While at a Japan train station,he met his future wife, Toyoko, when he asked her for directions. They were married in Tokyo in 1953.Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Fred used the GI bill to study electronics..

Settling in Sacramento, he opened Kushida TV and Appliance, which he owned and operated for over 50 years. Fred would spend countless hours building the business by selling TVs and appliances, performing house services calls and installing rooftop antennas. Through his efforts, Kushida TV and Appliance became a trusted television sales and service establishment serving the greater Sacramento region and continues to operate under the ownership of his son.

Because of his meager beginnings, Fred was frugal and always saw the potential to turn any throwaway item into something useful. He was very creative and ingenious, able to fix or build projects from found and recycled parts.
Family was the most important thing to Fred, and he treasured annual family outings to Dillon Beach to dig for clams and fish for surfperch. He cherished celebrating Japanese New Year’s (Oshogatsu),birthdays, holidays and especially enjoyed his favorite dish, cioppino, that was always served on his birthday. He established a tradition of family pancake breakfasts at his house every Sunday morning that continues to this day.

Fred was a loving and supporting father who worked diligently to support his family. He had a great sense of humor, loved to garden, follow the stock market and tinker on projects, large and small. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
There will be a private service for immediate family only. Please no koden. Instead, please donate to your favorite charity in honor of Fred.

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