Ray Isamu Kitayama, one of the founders of the largest U.S. flower growing operation, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sept. 29, 2007, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The following is an excerpt from his obituary, published by ANG Newspapers (Almeda Newspaper Group) based in Oakland, Calif.:

"Born on July 24, 1924 on Bainbridge Island, Wash., Ray was the son of Takeshi and Masuko Kitayama. Flowers and the flower business were Ray's life and his passion, and he was always curious, always innovating, and always pushing ahead. 
   
"As a child Ray worked with his brothers and sisters (Tom, Yoshiko, Kee, Ted and Martha) in the family greenhouse, growing flowers and vegetables. In April 1942, Ray and his family were interned at the Manzanar Interment camp in California. In 1943 Ray left camp, attended Ohio State University, and headed to California to work. And in 1950 Ray and his brothers joined forces, purchased land in Union City, CA, and the Kitayama Brothers flower business was born. This business grew to be the largest flower grower in the United States. 

"Ray married Kiyo Kato in June of 1952 and they had 4 children, Jean, Stuart, Robert and Scott. In 1965 they moved to Brighton, Co., where Ray built a second greenhouse facility. Within several years it was the largest greenhouse in Colorado.  Ray needed a market for his flowers, and he set up several wholesale flower outlets in Texas. These eventually grew into Greenleaf Wholesale Florists, one of the largest wholesale florists chains in America.

"In 1976 Kiyo, Ray's wife, died after a long battle with cancer. Ray and his family mourned deeply, and in time, rebuilt their lives. Ray met Kimiko (Kimi) Fujii, and they married in July 1977.

"In Dec(ember) 1978 a fire at the Brighton greenhouse destroyed all the offices, warehouses, coolers, and boilers. Ray rebuilt the burned facilities and 5 months later he produced a huge crop of roses for Mothers Day. In 1981 Ray moved to Homestead, Fla., with Kimi and his son Stuart, to set up the foliage plant growing business, "Sunbelt Plants". Ray grew tropical plants and sold them throughout the United States. In 1991, Ray and Kimi returned to Union City, CA to retire.

"Ray was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003. Ray is survived by his wife Kimi, daughter Jean Kitayama Gehrke and husband Terry Gehrke; son Stuart and wife Carol; son Robert and wife Karen; son Scott and wife Eva. His grandchildren are Eileen, Lauren, Kathryn, Maya, and Grace Kitayama."

Ray was also involved in SAF, as a member of the SAF Wholesalers Council and the SAF Board of Directors, in the 1970s. Based on their shared involvement in SAF, SAF Past President Harrison "Red" Kennicott, AAF, of Kennicott Brothers Co., has fond memories of Ray. "Ray was very kind and helpful to me, when we served together on the SAF council and board, back in the early 1970s," he says. "He was always a gentleman of the highest integrity." Red also has a more personal connection to Ray, who supplied the carnations when Red and Katie Kennicott were married in 1959. 

According to the obituary, "family and friends are invited to the celebration of Ray's life at the San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church, 615 Lewelling Blvd., San Leandro at 2 pm, Saturday Oct 6, 2007. Reception to follow. Visitation and Viewing to be at 12:30 to 1:30 pm prior to the Service."

--Kate F. Penn
kpenn@safnow.org

 


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