John, you never cease to amaze me. Your humanity is extraordinary. Your daughters are lucky to have a great role model. Keep writing the stories of the people the world should lift up.
Can I also say that City of Portland would be a much better place had they elected Sho Dozono as mayor? As it were, Sho’s beautifully run Azumano Travel got me and many other PNW’s where we needed to go for so many years. Sho is also somewhat a quiet one, served his country in US Army and I’ll never forget the ‘Freedom Flights’ he organized post 9/11 to NYC as well as to Thailand in ‘04 following the tsunami.
Beautiful, John. It is people like this that sustain our civilization in the face of the strife placed before us by the influential, powerful, and clueless. Well played, Charlie
Writing "good news" is a hard sell. It's much easier to talk about "bad news"; a tragedy or a scandal or a crime. All you have to do is grab the facts and put it down. It's not exactly lazy, but it also doesn't require more than being aware of what's happening. But to write a "good news" story takes initiative and the willingness to look a little deeper. You could easily cherry pick sports headline stories...the most points, the longest streak, the fastest player, and most people would be satisfied. But to your credit you go that extra step and dig for the "good news" that is there below the surface. Pat yourself on the back for being that guy who goes the extra mile. Thanks for this and all the pieces you've done on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
1Lt. Curtis Onchi, United States Army, was killed March 24, 1969 by land mine shrapnel near Chau Me hamlet in Quang Ngai province, Vietnam. I believe he was one of those five sons. All honor and respect to his family and his memory.
I rode the Onchi bus and picked strawberries on their farm out in Gresham when I was a kid. Also had the privilege of playing 9 holes of golf with Fumi at Eastmoreland GC. Very nice lady and was pretty good hitting that ball down the middle. Great stuff JC.
Another wonderful human interest story and it’s about a veteran which I appreciate because I have an affinity for those who served in the Vietnam War and my beloved cousin was KIA and posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
John……never ever stop writing about people who come from different walks of life as we can learn from one another and embrace humanity.
The story is even greater than what you knew. I grew up with Gary and knew the family very well. I was at their house many times and remember Fumiko canned the best tasting dill pickles. Jim also did a couple of construction jobs for my parents; I especially remember his sense of humor. I also remeber hearing about Jim suffering from a broken back due to being thrown incorrectly while teaching judo. And then there was the very tragic loss of their oldest son Curtis in Vietnam. Truly a remarkable man and family.
The whole family was very humble. I'm sure Gary didn't tell you that he was state champion wrestler in high school or about his younger brother Dwight who was a detective,
Great article, John. It took me back for a moment remembering my father, who grew up in Hood River, telling me one of his best friends and his family were sent off to one of those camps. My dad was pissed. He didn't like to talk about his time fighting in WWII much, but he would comment often how mad he was how his friends and the reset of the Japanese families in the Hood River area were treated.
Great piece John. Brought a tear to my eye. Sounds like a wonderful man we could all emulate in our lives. Maybe you missed the funeral but at least you brought the story of the man to the rest of us.
Once again John, you focus on what matters and help us all refocus. There has to be stories like that among the parents and grandparents of the Swwet 16
I can’t say it better than Charlie. So I won’t try.
But I’ll add, for John, a local Bay Area wrinkle to this story.
While working at San Jose St. I had the privilege to spend time with and promote the amazing Yosh Uchida, like Mr. Onchi a Japanese-American judo legend. My friend Elliott Almond wrote this beautiful tribute to Yosh after he passed last year at 104. (John, I’m imagining you also know Elliott?)
Once again lives are enriched via your beautiful writing. Life's scoreboard is far more important than the scoreboard of any game.
I stopped watching the News (Negative Events With Spin) and ESPN and my attitude about Life has greatly improved. Miracles happen every day, but 'if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead.'
I've found watching old cowboy shows like Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, etc. is a nice replacement for cable news. Even live sports with the endless commercials, analysts blathering, hype promo's, etc. has become the victim of my channel surfing.
"It makes me wonder how many other compelling stories are out there, being overshadowed by catfighting noises and this week’s celebrity sports feud."
If any journalist is skilled at sniffing out those stories and telling them to your audience, it's you, John. Chalk this column up as your next AP award-winner -- you deftly weave feature-y elements of Jim Onchi's compelling life story with commentary about a high-profile feud between a high-profile athlete and TV sports commentator. (As a side note, how many of us who have worked in sports journalism haven't clashed with one of the subjects we cover? I'd venture to say, not many.) Excellent stuff!
John, you never cease to amaze me. Your humanity is extraordinary. Your daughters are lucky to have a great role model. Keep writing the stories of the people the world should lift up.
Can I also say that City of Portland would be a much better place had they elected Sho Dozono as mayor? As it were, Sho’s beautifully run Azumano Travel got me and many other PNW’s where we needed to go for so many years. Sho is also somewhat a quiet one, served his country in US Army and I’ll never forget the ‘Freedom Flights’ he organized post 9/11 to NYC as well as to Thailand in ‘04 following the tsunami.
Sho is a treat
Thank you Ray.
Beautiful, John. It is people like this that sustain our civilization in the face of the strife placed before us by the influential, powerful, and clueless. Well played, Charlie
Thank you… well played
Thanks for writing what I was thinking Charlie. Well played sir!
Writing "good news" is a hard sell. It's much easier to talk about "bad news"; a tragedy or a scandal or a crime. All you have to do is grab the facts and put it down. It's not exactly lazy, but it also doesn't require more than being aware of what's happening. But to write a "good news" story takes initiative and the willingness to look a little deeper. You could easily cherry pick sports headline stories...the most points, the longest streak, the fastest player, and most people would be satisfied. But to your credit you go that extra step and dig for the "good news" that is there below the surface. Pat yourself on the back for being that guy who goes the extra mile. Thanks for this and all the pieces you've done on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
1Lt. Curtis Onchi, United States Army, was killed March 24, 1969 by land mine shrapnel near Chau Me hamlet in Quang Ngai province, Vietnam. I believe he was one of those five sons. All honor and respect to his family and his memory.
Thank you Norm
I rode the Onchi bus and picked strawberries on their farm out in Gresham when I was a kid. Also had the privilege of playing 9 holes of golf with Fumi at Eastmoreland GC. Very nice lady and was pretty good hitting that ball down the middle. Great stuff JC.
I love this.
A wonderful story of a life well lived! So inspiring compared to the celebrity society we get easily fixed upon. Thank you John.
Thank you
Damn, John. You're a writer.
Aww thanks
Another wonderful human interest story and it’s about a veteran which I appreciate because I have an affinity for those who served in the Vietnam War and my beloved cousin was KIA and posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
John……never ever stop writing about people who come from different walks of life as we can learn from one another and embrace humanity.
The story is even greater than what you knew. I grew up with Gary and knew the family very well. I was at their house many times and remember Fumiko canned the best tasting dill pickles. Jim also did a couple of construction jobs for my parents; I especially remember his sense of humor. I also remeber hearing about Jim suffering from a broken back due to being thrown incorrectly while teaching judo. And then there was the very tragic loss of their oldest son Curtis in Vietnam. Truly a remarkable man and family.
Thank you for this
The whole family was very humble. I'm sure Gary didn't tell you that he was state champion wrestler in high school or about his younger brother Dwight who was a detective,
Great article, John. It took me back for a moment remembering my father, who grew up in Hood River, telling me one of his best friends and his family were sent off to one of those camps. My dad was pissed. He didn't like to talk about his time fighting in WWII much, but he would comment often how mad he was how his friends and the reset of the Japanese families in the Hood River area were treated.
Great piece John. Brought a tear to my eye. Sounds like a wonderful man we could all emulate in our lives. Maybe you missed the funeral but at least you brought the story of the man to the rest of us.
Once again John, you focus on what matters and help us all refocus. There has to be stories like that among the parents and grandparents of the Swwet 16
I can’t say it better than Charlie. So I won’t try.
But I’ll add, for John, a local Bay Area wrinkle to this story.
While working at San Jose St. I had the privilege to spend time with and promote the amazing Yosh Uchida, like Mr. Onchi a Japanese-American judo legend. My friend Elliott Almond wrote this beautiful tribute to Yosh after he passed last year at 104. (John, I’m imagining you also know Elliott?)
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/06/28/legendary-san-jose-state-judo-coach-yosh-uchida-dies-at-age-104/
It’s unimaginable that Messers. Onchi and Uchida didn’t cross paths while alive. And I’m imagining they’re hanging out together, now. I hope so.
Thank you, JC.
Once again lives are enriched via your beautiful writing. Life's scoreboard is far more important than the scoreboard of any game.
I stopped watching the News (Negative Events With Spin) and ESPN and my attitude about Life has greatly improved. Miracles happen every day, but 'if it doesn't bleed, it doesn't lead.'
Rest in Peace Sensei.
I've found watching old cowboy shows like Gunsmoke, Tales of Wells Fargo, etc. is a nice replacement for cable news. Even live sports with the endless commercials, analysts blathering, hype promo's, etc. has become the victim of my channel surfing.
"It makes me wonder how many other compelling stories are out there, being overshadowed by catfighting noises and this week’s celebrity sports feud."
If any journalist is skilled at sniffing out those stories and telling them to your audience, it's you, John. Chalk this column up as your next AP award-winner -- you deftly weave feature-y elements of Jim Onchi's compelling life story with commentary about a high-profile feud between a high-profile athlete and TV sports commentator. (As a side note, how many of us who have worked in sports journalism haven't clashed with one of the subjects we cover? I'd venture to say, not many.) Excellent stuff!
Bravo👏👏👏John for reminding us just who is important in our world.❤️