It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jim Suenobu Nishida on January 4, 2017. He was born on October 17, 1935 in North Hollywood, CA. As a young boy, he moved to Longmont, CO, to avoid the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. This is where his family operated Nishida Farms, growing a variety of vegetables, flowers, and bedding plants. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a SeaBee stationed in Port Hueneme. He married Phyllis in 1958 and they settled in Oxnard.
After leaving the Navy, Jim was an employee of Keene’s Hardware and eventually became the owner. He was always there, ready to help customers, until last year when health issues caused him to retire. Although he was a man of few words, he has been sorely missed by not only his employees, but also by numerous customers because of his extensive knowledge of hardware. He could repair anything!
When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed golfing, gambling and going for long drives. In recent years, he enjoyed wood-working. He built dollhouses for his granddaughter, patio furniture, garden boxes and model planes. Most of all, he loved to watch his grandchildren play basketball!
It is with deepest gratitude that we thank Dr. Kokonides, Dr. Jones, and Sister Suzanne Krawczyk of SJRMC and Dr. Pearl and Arlene of Livingston Memorial in helping us through this difficult time.
Preceded in death by loving wife Phyllis in 2008, Jim is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Julie Nishida; daughter and son-in-law, Candace and Patrick Smith; granddaughter, Kiersten Smith and grandson, Ryan Smith.
Family and friends are invited to Funeral Services to be held Saturday January 14, 2017 at 12 Noon in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E. Main Street Ventura. Interment will immediately follow in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo.