Obituary: Minata, George Akira “Ike”
Age 93
January 5, 1923 - April 13, 2016
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient George Minata, a combat medic staff sargeant with the “Go for Broke” 442nd Regiment serving in World War II passed away peacefully at Hospice House South on April 13, 2016, age 93.
George was born January 5, 1923 in Troy, MT., the middle child between sisters Marie and Grace of Kansuke and Haruko Minata.
The family moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho where his parents owned and operated a hotel and restaurant.
George was a three sport athlete in high school excelling in football, wrestling and track.
He attended the University of Idaho on a football scholarship, majoring in Chemistry, Pre-med classes and enrolled in the ROTC program.
When World War II broke out, the Minata family’s businesses were boycotted and they were forced to sell pennies on the dollar.
George was prevented from playing road games on the coast with his team, the Vandals.
Even so, when the Army in 1943 asked Japanese Americans to help fight the Germans, he eagerly enlisted.
Their unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team served in Italy.
George was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.
In November 2011, the 442nd plus the 100th Infantry Battalion and Military Intelligence Service were honored at a Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony and gala in Washington D.C.
After the war, George changed his major to study Pharmacy on the G.I.
Bill at Washington State College in Pullman, WA.
It was in Spokane where he met the sister of an Army buddy in 1946.
Aiko Heyamoto became the love of his life and they married December 19, 1948 (67 years).
He obtained his Pharmacy degree in 1951, a Rho Chi and Kappa Psi Society member.
After graduation he worked at Whitlock’s Pharmacy in the Paulsen Bldg.
in downtown Spokane.
Despite an attractive offer to stay and manage the pharmacy, George opted to open his own independent store in 1958.
Esmeralda pharmacy was a fixture in Hillyard next to the Bend Restaurant.
He owned the business until 1982 when he sold the prescription files to pharmacist Steve Moore.
Another pharmacist Henry Tombari worked for him for years.
George’s wife Aiko did the bookkeeping and he couldn’t have done without his front-end team, the ‘girls’ Marlene, Theresa.
Mena and Marsha.
Also his buddy, Gale Starmer, kept the floors shining like mirrors.
It was like family.
George had a long and wonderful retirement.
He now had the time to fish, hunt, pursue real estate opportunities.
He resumed playing golf, a sport he could share with his wife and family.
He was a member of the Spokane Nisei Golf Club and shot his ‘age’ several times in his seventies and eighties.
George is survived by his wife Aiko, his two daughters, Laura (Bill) Kodama, Sydnee (Chris) Snowden, grandson Matt (Kellie) Kodama and two great-granddaughters Lan and Lia.
He is also survived by his sister Grace (Kaz) Kayahara and their sons Ken and Geoff.
Along with his parents, George is preceded in death by his sister Marie Minata and his infant grandson Brett Ellison Kodama.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 16th from 8am 5pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way.
Cremation to follow.
A memorial service is being planned on May 23, 2016.
An announcement with further details will be made in the future.
In lieu of floral tributes, those who wish may make a contribution to the Highland Park United Methodist Church at E. 919 Hartson, Spokane, WA.
99202.