Robert George Kiyomoto

Robert George Kiyomoto, a resident of Fresno, California, passed away on December 12, 2023 after a long illness. He was born on December 21, 1951 in Dinuba, California as the first child to George & Lilyan Kiyomoto. Robert, whom we affectionately called "Bob", grew up on a small farm in the countryside of Reedley, California. He helped out with responsibilities on the 48-acre family farm growing oranges, grapes, peaches, plums, vegetables, and cotton. His primary responsibility was driving the tractor in the fields. Bob attended Alta Union School in Reedley from grades K to 8. During this time, Bob became an avid fan of sports, especially baseball, basketball, and football. He was a big fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, and Rams. Bob played these three sports extremely well. He first started playing baseball in the Reedley Little League, of course on the "Dodgers" team. He made the Reedley Little League all-star team as the third baseman and pitcher. After Little League, Bob went on and played in the Reedley Babe Ruth League, and again, made the all-star team. Bob would ride his bicycle over 6 miles from the family farm to Reedley to practice Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball.

During the school year, Bob played on Alta Union School's 7th and 8th grade basketball, flag football, and fast-pitch softball teams. He won 3rd place in the football Punt, Pass, and Kick competition. Bob was the basketball Free-throw Champion in an 8th grade tournament at Auberry School, and was selected to the All-Star basketball team. Bob attended Reedley High School, and graduated in 1970. At Reedley High School, Bob was the starting football varsity quarterback in his sophomore year. During his senior year, Bob was a key member of Reedley High School's East Sequoia League championship varsity team in baseball, and also won the Reedley Hot Stove League Baseball Player of the Year trophy. During the hot summer months, Bob played baseball on the Reedley JACL baseball team as a pitcher and third baseman and helped win championships in the California State Single-A Nisei/Sansei Tournament. He also enjoyed fishing on the Kings River with family as a break from the long hot summers working on the farm.

Bob attended Reedley College after graduating from high school. His love for baseball continued into college where he was a pitcher and played third base. After graduating from Reedley College, Bob was accepted into the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in Stockton, California, where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1975.

In December 1982, Bob married Linda Pimental in Fresno. Together, they had one son Kevin, and raised his step daughters Sheila and Rayko. Bob worked as a pharmacist in Fresno, Firebaugh, San Joaquin, and Parlier for 46 years.

Bob was not only just an amazing father to Kevin, but a loving and caring son, brother, and uncle. When his nephews Doug and Derek were younger, he would often take them out to get food and to go see movies at the theater. Throughout the years Bob would always come to the family events and spoil the kids with popular toys kids liked at the time. He never missed a holiday or an important celebration. He even made a day trip to see his niece Danelle get married in Southern California, despite the long trip back to Fresno on the same day. Bob would often travel to George and Lilyan’s house to help care for them as they became older. He would often take Lilyan to her favorite hobby, gambling at the local Fresno casinos. Bob would drive George and Lilyan to see the Reedley College Tigers football games up and down the state because they were such loyal fans of Reedley College.

Bob stayed active in sports playing in a softball league with his wife Linda, and later joined a bowling league. He also shared his love for sports with his son Kevin and grandson Joseph, giving them both a competitive drive and focus on putting their efforts into something positive. He showed them the value of hard work, just like his father George Kiyomoto did for him. He would try to be at all of their games, and cheered out loud for them. Bob was proud and loved both of his grandchildren, Joseph and Ellie. He opened his heart and his home to them, and loved the time he got to spend with them watching them grow up. Although quiet at times, Bob was a man who loved deeply and unconditionally, letting his actions speak louder than his words.

He is survived by his son Kevin, grandchildren Elise “Ellie” Vega and Joseph Salinas, brothers Michael (Debbie Montalban) and Jeff (Megumi Akai), brother-in-law Dale Kuey, nephews Douglas and Derek Kuey, and niece Danelle Okabayashi (Jason Okabayashi) and her children Jayden and Damian.

He is predeceased by his wife Linda, stepdaughters Sheila and Rayko, parents George and LilyanKiyomoto, and sister Dianne Kiyomoto Kuey.