Ray Yasui was born in Hood
River, Oregon and lived there all his life.Ray had a very successful orchard business in
the Hood River Valley.He and his wife, Mikie, raised three
children: Joan, Thomas and Philip.Ray was also very proud of his five
grandchildren.
Ray was Chairman of the Board
of the Diamond Fruit Growers of Hood River, on the
Board of the Northwest Cherry Growers and on the
Board of Directors for Oregon AAA.He was appointed to the Oregon Board of
Higher Education by Mark Hatfield, Governor of
Oregon.
Ray was also the founder of the Hood River - Tsurata
Sister City Association and co-founder of the Hood
River Youth Baseball Association.He was elected to the Oregon State University
Agricultural Hall of Fame.Ray was awarded the Seventh Degree Medal by
the Emperor of Japan for promoting US and Japanese
relations.He was also the founder of the Hood River
High School Scholarship Fund.His local activities included the Fire
Department, Japanese-American Citizens League and
scholarship fundraising.One of Ray’s biggest honors was when the
local hospital named the new dialysis center after
him.
Ray served as President of the PITA from 1964
through 1966 and was a member of the Central
Handicap Committee in 1961-1962-1963-1969-1970-1971
and 1972.
At the time of his induction, Ray had shot 200,000
targets.Ray had a passion for life and a commitment
to his family, his orchards, his community and the
PITA.
Ray considered the PITA his baby.Much like his orchards, he enjoyed nurturing
it and watching it grow.The main reason the PITA Hall of Fame was
started was to honor dedicated people like Mr. Ray
Yasui.
