Celebrating the life of
Ray Kumagai
January 11, 1922 - February 11, 2010
Ray Kumagai
January 11, 1922 - February 11, 2010
Savannah, Georgia - Ray Kumagai was born on January 11, 1922, on the eastern shores of Lake Washington in Medina, WA. His parents were Tsune Kumagai and Sueko Ochi Kumagai, who had immigrated to Washington state from Japan at the turn of the century. He had 2 brothers, Joe and Gene, and 4 sisters: Tachiko, Vickie, Sumiko and May. Ray attended a one room schoolhouse with four other classmates. His family later moved to Auburn, WA, where his family had a large farm and raised horses. Ray would spend his winters skiing the slopes of Mount Rainier and his summers mountain climbing and riding horses. After graduating from a private high school there, Ray hopped on a train to Palo Alto, CA, where he was able to enroll on scholarship at Stanford University in the fall of 1941.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked and WWII declared, Ray volunteered for the armed services but was refused because he was classified as "4C-Enemy Alien". In February 1942, Ray was told he had 3 hours to leave the San Francisco Bay area because of the mandatory evacuation of Japanese from the West Coast. A dear friend helped Ray by chartering a plane to fly him to Salt Lake City, UT. His friend used his business connections to help Ray find a place to stay and arrange a hardship scholarship for him at the University of Utah. After much perseverance, Ray was finally accepted into the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, where he was posted to the Aleutian Islands and helped survey what later became the Alcan Highway. After completing his tour of duty, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, then his master's degree from Columbia University in New York City.
His professional career began with a consulting firm in New York City. He then accepted a position with the Home Office Executive staff of the North American Philips Corporation. He spent the majority of his career in Murray Hill, NJ, as a Group Vice President at the Electrical Industries Group, a subsidiary of North American Philips. He married Ruth Christine Yohe in July 1964, and his daughter Sueko Elizabeth was born in January 1969. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mendham, NJ, Faith Lutheran Church in Murray Hill, NJ, and the Roxiticus Country Club in Bernardsville, NJ.
After retiring, he and Christine moved to Savannah, GA, in 1993, where he became an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church and the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island. Ray spent many happy years golfing and volunteering his time for various Kiwanis projects. On September 4, 1996, at the age of 74, he got his 1st hole-in-one! He loved college football and enjoyed trips overseas with his wife and daughter. He is survived by his wife, Christine Kumagai, of Savannah, GA; his daughter, Sueko Kumagai, and son-in-law, Paul Maiorana, of Washington, DC; and his sisters, Vickie Yamate, of Chicago, IL, and Sumiko Kagesa, of Honolulu, HI.
A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church in Savannah, GA, on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 2pm.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Dear Christine and Sue, It's so hard to believe that Ray is no longer with us. We had many fun days playing golf with Ray Mangold and Harold Collins. Ray was always smiling and making the day great fun. We will miss him very much, but memories of our companionship will live forever. Peace and good health to you both, Ray and Mary Gawronski
- Ray and Mary Gawronski, Savannah, GA
I am so glad I had the chance to meet Mr. Kumagai this year, after hearing so much about him from his daughter Sueko. What an extraordinary person! Sueko, our thoughts are with you and your mom.
- Bethany Ross, Plano, TX
Sueko, Mrs. Kumagai, Paul and Kumagai Family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Kumagai lived a long, amazing and prosperous life. I am grateful to have known him, even for a short time. Know that he is in a better place now, no pain and no sorrow. He's looking out for all of you. Natalie
- Natalie Cropper, Charleston, SC
Dear Sueko & Paul.....sorry for your loss. Words can never alleviate the pain and hurt of losing a parent. May the many years of good times be of consolation to all that knew this fine man. Hope-fully he was not in any pain and his leaving was peaceful. My sympathies and best wishes.
- Joel N. Martin, Washington, DC
What a fine gentleman! I feel privileged to have been Ray`s doctor for a number of years. My condolences to Mrs. Kumagai and family. Sincerely, Dick Watson
- richard watson, mendham, NJ
Dave and I send our prayers for your comfort at this sad time, Christine. We remember the time you and Ray graciously entertained us for dinner back in 1965, shortly after my graduation from Juniata College. Blessings to you and your family. Marion Class of 1964.
- Marion Kercher Oliver, Middlesex, NJ
Dear Christine and Sue, It's so hard to believe that Ray is no longer with us. We had many fun days playing golf with Ray Mangold and Harold Collins. Ray was always smiling and making the day great fun. We will miss him very much, but memories of our companionship will live forever. Peace and good health to you both, Ray and Mary Gawronski
- Ray and Mary Gawronski, Savannah, GA
I am so glad I had the chance to meet Mr. Kumagai this year, after hearing so much about him from his daughter Sueko. What an extraordinary person! Sueko, our thoughts are with you and your mom.
- Bethany Ross, Plano, TX
Sueko, Mrs. Kumagai, Paul and Kumagai Family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Kumagai lived a long, amazing and prosperous life. I am grateful to have known him, even for a short time. Know that he is in a better place now, no pain and no sorrow. He's looking out for all of you. Natalie
- Natalie Cropper, Charleston, SC
Dear Sueko & Paul.....sorry for your loss. Words can never alleviate the pain and hurt of losing a parent. May the many years of good times be of consolation to all that knew this fine man. Hope-fully he was not in any pain and his leaving was peaceful. My sympathies and best wishes.
- Joel N. Martin, Washington, DC
What a fine gentleman! I feel privileged to have been Ray`s doctor for a number of years. My condolences to Mrs. Kumagai and family. Sincerely, Dick Watson
- richard watson, mendham, NJ
Dave and I send our prayers for your comfort at this sad time, Christine. We remember the time you and Ray graciously entertained us for dinner back in 1965, shortly after my graduation from Juniata College. Blessings to you and your family. Marion Class of 1964.
- Marion Kercher Oliver, Middlesex, NJ
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
