Charles was born January 2, 1933 in Salinas, CA, the 6th child of Susumu Matsuda Kagiyama and Misao Kagiyama. He attended grade school in Salinas and Chualar, CA. In 1942, the family was able to voluntarily move inland to Cozad, NE before Executive Order 9055 relocated all people of Japanese descent from the west coast.
In Junior High School, he played basketball, football, and was in the Boy Scouts. In 1946 the family moved to Welby, CO to farm. He attended Adams City High School 1947-49, until they moved to Brighton where he attended Brighton High School the last semester of his senior year. He was able to graduate with Adams City High School Class of 1950.
In 1951 they moved to Henderson to the Pickle Station. After back surgery in1952, he worked as a bookkeeper for a year until he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. After 2 years at Fort Bragg in the 306th Logistical Command, he was transferred closer to home to Camp Carson near Colorado Springs. He was Honorably Discharged May 1955.
He went to work for Rollnick Shoe Company in 1955 as Bookkeeper, Auditor, and Office Manager. He married Violet Tani in 1957 and moved to Denver. They had a daughter Sharon in 1958 and another, Laren in 1960. In 1973 they moved to Arvada, CO and he earned a Real Estate license. In 1998 he and his wife moved to south Denver and he partially retired, working part time as a roofing estimator/salesman. He also had a recycling business, as he cared deeply about the environment. Over the years he used the moniker “Charlie Brown”. In 2017 he moved in with his younger daughter and her family.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family. He was an active member of Denver Buddhist Temple, serving as Treasurer, helping with building maintenance, running errands and supporting his wife, who was the secretary for many years. When fully retired, he took a strong interest in the stock market, enjoyed collecting toy tractors and Hot Wheels toy cars, reading, number and word search puzzles, listening to country music, and driving to Blackhawk to play the slot machines. Recently, he started learning to play guitar.
He was extremely proud of every one of his seven grandchildren, enjoying every minute spent with each of them. He shared a special connection with his great-granddaughter.
Charles is survived by his daughters Sharon (Walt) Chikuma, Laren (Marc) Naiman, his grandchildren Kendra (Guy) Simone, Todd (Jennifer) Chikuma, Austen (Megan) Carpenter, Alexa Carpenter, Trent Chikuma, Taylor Chikuma, Keiana Naiman, and his great-granddaughter London Simone. Charles is also survived by two brothers, Kenso Kagiyama, Tsutomu (Beulah) Kagiyama and one sister, Michi (Richard) Yoshida, along with many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. He is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Violet, parents Susumu and Misao Kagiyama, and siblings Takeshi Kagiyama, Yoshio Matsuda, Fusako Kawahara, Nancy Matsuda, and Roy Kagiyama.
There will be a virtual service for family and friends. A memorial/celebration of life will be planned in Colorado when it is safe to get together.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Charles’ favorite charities in his memory:
Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple
American Heart Association
Children’s Hospital
Food Bank of the Rockies
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5