In Remembrance of Francis G. Uyematsu

This day we mourn the death and celebrate the life of
Francis Genichiro Uyematsu
Born To Miyasaku & Kuni Uyematsu
In Montebello, CA. July 26, 1921

He is survived by his Brother Sam and Sister Marian;
His two daughters Amy & Mary ;
His wife Consuelo, who he married in August 1996 to become a part of our family;
His four step children, Kathleen, Kaarlo, Kerwin & Karinna;
And six grandchildren Chris, Malcolm, Valerie, Katrina, Cassandra & Danella

His father, who came from a poor family migrated to The USA from Japan. He made good in the plant business and amassed a fortune that afforded his family a very comfortable life.

As a child he played the violin and clarinet however he gave it up when he was asked to play quietly by his teacher. He knew at that point he did not have what it took

During the WWII, he and his parents and siblings were sent to the internment camp but he did not stay there long as he was granted a pass to go to school. He moved to Chicago to pursue a degree in law. .

While in college, he received a letter from the president of the country advising him to report for duty. He went on to serve his country in the US military. He was assigned in The Military Intelligence Service to be trained as a translator to interpret messages, however he never saw action. A Lieutenant he knew arranged for him to get a transfer to the mess, where he served the balance of his term as a cook.

After the war, he learned to fly a plane and bought his own aircraft, where he flew many years. After a number of mishaps such as a fire in the cockpit, landing where no landing was permitted he decided to give it up.

Although he was not keen on plants, he took over the management of their family business. He decided to get rid of all the plants and grew a single crop instead. Philodendron Cordatum was an easy crop to grow and the stores bought them by the trailer load. He produced millions of these plants that earned him the name Philodendron King by his peers in the industry.

He excelled in a few areas in sports. At an early age, he started playing tennis and became quite good at it , earned silver and gold medals for himself. Swimming is another sport he was very good at, earning medals and receiving awards for his school.
In college, he auditioned to become a member of the varsity swimming team but gave up his desire when he found out that height is an advantage. Being an Asian he is much smaller at 5’8’ compared to his Caucasian classmates.

Making model airplane was his favorite hobby. He won a gold trophy from American Airlines for his entry.
When he was little bit older he tried deep sea fishing along the coast of Mexico.
He gave it up after awhile. At age 40, his interest was focused to golf. He enjoyed so much that he played up to his early 70’s. He received award for most improved golfer when his handicap went from 11 to 7 in only 4 months.
One of his most treasured possessions was a gold watch he won from a tournament in Pebble Beach.
The other day, I saw one of his score cards showing a net score of 56, handicap 11.
He also did a lot of ballroom dancing.

In the hospital bed while battling with the deadly disease, he made the most important decision of his life, he accepted Jesus as his savior.
Last Sunday, Jan. 19, at the age of 81, he succumbed to lymphoma.

Uncle Fran had a very colorful life and to quote Frank Sinatra’s My Way which is one of his favorite songs “I’ve live a life that’s full, I’ve travel each and every highway”


Uncle Fran, you will always be missed, you were loved and will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for contributing to our lives

Farewell to a Friend whome we loved most our Dear Uncle Fran.