As it must be for each of us, death came peacefully to Ichiro "Ich" Doi on September 6, 2015 at the age of 98. Through the infinite love and compassion of the Amida, he has crossed over into the Pureland, forever free from all the sorrow and pain. Namo Amida Butsu.
Ichiro was born in Magna, Utah on February 9, 1917 to Sekizo and Masayo Hatada Doi. In 1943, he married Emiko Ohashi, who passed away in 1970. In 1973 he married Takeko Kawamoto .
As a young boy he helped his parents run both the Athens and West Side Hotels. After graduating from West High School he worked at the Eagle Laundry, a privately owned company established in the 1930s by the Japanese Issei community. He eventually served as President of the Eagle Laundry Company. He also owned and operated the Excellent Cleaners for over 35 years. Following his retirement, he managed the National JACL Credit Union.
He was very active in the Salt Lake Chapter of the Japanese-American Citizens League (JACL), a national organization whose mission is to promote and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American Community. Ichiro served as President for three terms and received the Chapter of the Year Award as well as the Sapphire Pin for outstanding service.
During the early years of Japanese immigration to America, an organization, the Kenjinkai, was established to assist individuals from the same prefecture in Japan. With family roots in Hiroshima, Ichiro was an active participant in the local Hiroshima Kenjinkai and served as the president for multiple years. For his service, he was presented with two commendations from the Governor of the Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
As a member of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, he was honored to serve multiple terms as President. He worked hard, helping to organize the annual Temple events. In recognition of his lifelong service he was presented with both the Sangha and Dharma Awards.
He loved all living things especially his cat, Mariko. He also loved music and singing Japanese karaoke. He especially loved to lead the sing-alongs at the Doi family reunions. He enjoyed golfing with his friends, tinkering with his cars, traveling and gardening. He insisted on mowing his lawn right up to the end.
He will be missed by his many friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Takeko, sister, Chiyoko Terashima, sister-in-law, Ruby Doi and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Harue, brothers, George and Misao, sister-in-law, Elsie and brother-In-law, Kay Terashima.
Funeral services will be held on September 14 at 11:00 at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, 211 West 100 South. Friends may call upon the family from 10:00 am prior to the service. Interment to follow immediately at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
