Donald Makoto Yamaguchi, a long-time resident of Whittier, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2024, at the age of 83.
He was born in Santa Monica, Calif. on November 20, 1940. During WWII, he and his family were incarcerated in Manzanar, Calif. and later Crystal City, Texas. Following WWII’s end at the age of 5, his family went to Japan; where his father taught English. However, the family moved many times in 10 years. With the help of his uncle in the U.S., at 15, he and his family were able to move to Whittier; where he later graduated from California High School and conducted his gardening service for 55 years.
In 1963 he started kendo and iaido as a student of Mori, Torao sensei and was able to quickly develop rising through the ranks. Yamaguchi, Makoto sensei and his older brother, Takeshi sensei helped Hara, Akio sensei co-found Norwalk Kendo Dojo (1965) and later Covina Kendo Dojo (1969). Yamaguchi, Makoto sensei was Covina Kendo Dojo’s first head instructor. He was also a USA Kendo team member and competed in the 1973 World Kendo Championship in Los Angeles. Yamaguchi, Makoto sensei continued with kendo into the late 1980s with his kendo rank of rokudan (6-dan) kyoshi.
His other hobbies included fishing, developing bonsai and raising koi. He enjoyed Las Vegas and the local Indian casinos as well.
Donald is survived by his sons, Mitsuru and Hiro (Kelly); two grandsons, Troy and Tyler; his sister, Lily (Andrew) Matsumura; and by many nieces, nephews.
The family will have a private service and burial at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier.