George Watanabe, 91, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Mount Prospect, died Sunday, 7 January 2018.
Born on Wednesday, 10 March 1926, in Los Angeles, California, he was the son of Matsuya and Yachiyo Watanabe of Chicago.
George was a loving, generous and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He was a genuine, kind and supportive friend and neighbor to many.
George was humble about his fascinating history. George was evacuated with his family from the west coast on the onset of WWII. George spent his high school years in the internment camp where he was a gymnast, football player and senior class president. In camp he met his wife of 65 years, Eunice. Afterwards, he served during the Korean war with the U.S. army. With help from the GI bill, George graduated from the University of Illinois as an architect and he helped design and plan some well-known buildings.
George and Eunice settled in Mount Prospect where they raised their three children. George truly loved his community. George was an avid Prospect High School booster and fan who never missed one of his children’s sporting, band and school events. George was a loyal member of the Mt. Prospect Lions Club and Library Foundation. He genuinely felt lucky about all aspects of his life and lived his life feeling truly blessed every day.
George was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Eunice Watanabe, daughter of Ikuji and Nobuyo Kumagai formerly of Denver, Colorado.
George is survived by three children, Sarah Murphy (Jonathan) of Buffalo Grove, David Watanabe (Martha) of Austin, Texas, and Karen Perritt (Steve) of Vernon Hills; seven grandchildren, Daniel Murphy, Kristin Murphy, Matthew Watanabe, Nicholas Watanabe, Kathryn Perritt, Tyler Perritt, and Nathaniel Perritt.
George was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Jonokuchi of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Visitation Saturday, January 13th, 10:00 AM until Services at 12:00 P.M. at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd. (at Northwest Highway) Mt. Prospect.
Interment Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 East Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation or to the Mt. Prospect Lions Club.