George Tetsuo Nishi

George Tetsuo Nishi was born in Seattle on February 22, 1935. He was the third child of Eizo and Hiroko Nishi and brother to Mary (Haruta) and Amy (Kawamoto). As a young boy, he grew up in a downtown apartment building managed by his parents and attended Maryknoll Catholic School in the Central District. At age seven, George was incarcerated along with his family and other Japanese-Americans during World War II. Shortly before the end of the war, the family relocated to the South Side of Chicago to rebuild their lives. George graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1952. He was the first in his family to attend college and earned his degree in architecture from the University of Illinois in 1957. George started his career at Pace Associates, one of the largest Chicago-based architecture and engineering firms at the time.

While on a trip to Seattle, George met his lifelong partner, Jean who brought him to the 1962 World's Fair to take in the spectacle of the city's new Space Needle. After a long-distance courtship, George relocated to Seattle and married Jean in 1964 and joined the architecture firm of Grant, Copeland and Chevenak. George designed their home on Beacon Hill in Seattle, fulfilling a dream, having never lived in a house himself. He and Jean raised two daughters, Jill & Kim in their home where family and friends gathered for many occasions and holidays. George remained in the house he built for 54 years until his final days and peaceful passing on January 27, 2024.

In 1971, George joined the University of Washington. After nearly 30 years of service, he retired in 2000 as the managing architect for the Capital Projects Office - Design Services group. In retirement, George served on the City of Seattle's Design Review Board, enjoyed weekly rounds of golf, reveled in completing home improvements and helping friends design and remodel their own homes. With Jean, they traveled frequently with both good friends and family, to Alaska, New York, Hawaii, Japan, and several countries throughout Europe. His greatest joy was spending time with family - sharing in the care of grandchildren, Katelyn and Zachary in Seattle; and annual Labor Day trips to Walla Walla to spend time with grandchildren, Julia and Owen.

George is preceded in death by his parents (Eizo & Hiroko), brother (Toshio), sisters (Mary & Amy), and brother in-laws (Morris Kawamoto & Richard Nishio). George is survived by Jean, his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, daughters Jill Nishi (Howard Nakase) and Kim Kajita (Mark Kajita), four grandchildren: Julia, Owen, Katelyn, and Zachary; brother in-laws (Kizio Haruta & Arthur Nishio) and sister in-laws (Sandra Nishio & Mikie Nishio); as well as several loving nieces and nephews. George's kindness, gentle way and unassuming manner will be missed by many.

A private family burial was held at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery on February 23, 2024. A celebration of George's life will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 1:00 at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st St. - Seattle).