George T. Teraoka of Fowler, CA,  passed away on December 26, 2023, at age 102 years,  at home with family at his side.  He was predeceased by his wife of 74 years, Mary Teraoka, and his parents, Sawataro and Asano Teraoka, his  sisters, Miki (Edward)  Kurimura,Kaye (James) Hashimoto and Mari Teramoto, and grandson Michael Teraoka. He is survived by his five children, Tom (Jenny) Teraoka of Huntington Beach, Steve (Marsha) Teraoka of Hillsborough, Robert Teraoka of Clovis, Janet (Kodo) Umezu of San Leandro, and Kathy  (Doren) Lee of Fresno, as well as 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews including Ken Hashimoto who resided with George in his final days.

George was born in Lodi, CA on May 13, 1921.  He was a grower, farmer, food processor, inventor, as well as a mentor to many, and a dedicated community servant .

George came to be known as a living legend in the Central Valley as he lived and taught the Buddhist teachings of selflessness, humility and gratitude.

He attended grade school in Fowler, spoke as valedictorian of his 8th grade class and graduated from Fowler High School in 1939.  During World War II in May 1942, George at 21 and his family were evacuated from California to Jerome, Arkansas (eventually  Rohwer) where he helped  with electrical needs of his internment camp. He joined the US Army and was placed on reserve. While his family remained in camp for the remainder of the War, he obtained a permit to work in St. Louis, Mo. His knowledge of electronics and radio allowed  him to obtain a job repairing juke boxes and coin-operated electronic equipment.  While in St. Louis,  George met and married Mary Nobuko Kawahara of Portland, Oregon (via Minidoka Camp) and they had 2 sons, Tom and Steven.  There, he enjoyed family and a dry cleaning business venture, and eventually returned to the family farm in Fowler in 1950. He often commented that so many Missourians were very kind to him during that time.

Upon returning to Fowler, George began a long, committed and incredible life dedicated to family, community service, youth mentoring and church leadership.  George and Mary had 3 more children, Robert, Janet and Kathy.  In addition to producing plums, peaches, nectarines, and raisins over the years, he grew the family farm into becoming one of the largest producers of boysenberries in the country.  He invented the first boysenberry mechanical harvester.

When his sons joined the Scouting programs, despite his busy routine, George volunteered as Cub Scout  Pack 390 leader, and later as Boy Scout Troop 390 leader.  He continued his commitment to Scouting for over 25 years serving as the Chairman of the Kings River District of the Boy Scouts Sequoia Council, and then as Council Commissioner for the Sequoia Council. He served on the staff of the National Boy Scouts Jamboree in Fort Hill, Virginia, and as a Cabinet Member of the Western Region of the Boy Scouts of America. George was ultimately bestowed the highest Boy Scouts Service Awards, the "Sequoia Medal" and the "Silver Beaver Award."

George really enjoyed engaging with people and always looked for the good in people.  He embraced volunteer work, saying someone has to step forward even if it means committing more time.  Over the years, George served as a board member of the Boysenberry Growers' Association and became Chairman of the California State Bushberry Advisory Board.  He was also Chairman of the Central California Farmer's Co-op. He served as President of the Japanese American Citizens League in Fowler. He was a Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Nisei Farmers League.  He served on the Board of Directors of the Fresno City and County Historical Society, and was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year."   He also served for two terms as a member of the Fresno County Grand Jury.  Outside of the Central Valley, he was on the inaugural Board of Directors of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

He was a well-known leader in the Buddhist Church and community.  He served multiple terms as President of the Fowler Buddhist Church.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Buddhist Churches of America.  He spoke at countless church related conferences, events and radio broadcasts.  George was also a member of the multi-faith exchange of Fresno where he enjoyed sharing in and recognizing common beliefs amongst multiple faith practices.

George was also called to mentor youth. In addition to his commitment to Scouting,  he volunteered as a Sunday Dharma School teacher for over 65 years and was the charter President of the Western Federation of Dharma School Teachers' League.   During these years, George encouraged youth to dream big to pursue their goals and wrote many letters of recommendation.

Through all of his community activities, George also found time to develop personal interests and hobbies. He was very proud to be a member of the Fowler Friday Evening Club since 1977 where he listened to, and gave, many scholarly presentations over the past 46 years. He was also a member of the Fowler Historical Society.  In the course of his 102-year long life, he also pursued scuba diving, operating a HAM radio, Shigin (Japanese Poetry), and piloting his own Cessna airplane on trips to many destinations including Reno, Las Vegas, Utah, Seattle and Mexico. He and Mary loved ballroom dancing and helped to found the Fowler Dance Club.

In 2004, George Teraoka was honored by the City of Fowler as the Honored Pioneer of Fowler and Mary and he served as the Grand Marshalls of the 73rd Fowler Fall Festival Parade.

In 2013, George was awarded and named by the City of Fowler, the "2013 Fowler Citizen of the Year."

This past spring of 2023, George was able to participate in a pilgrimage to Jerome and Rohwer Internment camps in Arkansas, where he visited for the first time in 81 years the uniquely distant rural setting where his early adult life journey began and where he discovered the teaching of Buddha. Even on that trip, as he was turning 102,  he continued to enjoy developing new friendships and sharing the life values and philosophies that served as the foundation to his incredible life.

Underlying all that he did, and what created his purpose was the pride and joy of his family and his unwavering faith in the teachings of Buddha…to live a selfless life manifested in humility and gratitude for all.

He will be remembered by many and dearly missed by all whose hearts he touched – many, many hearts indeed.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 27th at 10 am at the Fowler Buddhist Church located at 210 S. Ninth Street, Fowler, CA 93625.  Tel No. 559-834-2077.