The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Tsugio Yoshimoto passed away Jan. 26, 2022 at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home in Julesburg at the age of 97.

Tugo was born June 16, 1924, at Sedgwick to Hideichi and Hide (Toyota) Yoshimoto. He graduated from Ovid High School.

Tugo’s family farmed north of Sedgwick for many years. He was one of the last farmers in the county to employ a team of horses for his farming operations. He was proud of his farm and was honored when his beet crop was named one of the “High Ten” for Great Western Sugar.

In 1949, Tugo married Elsie Sato at the Sedgwick Buddhist Temple. Tugo and Elsie were blessed with two sons, Leslie and Mark.

Tugo fostered a great love for his family. He was deeply proud of his grandchildren. He enjoyed getting to know his great-grandchildren and they were the love of his life.

Another great love was fishing. He could often be found wetting a line at either Jumbo Reservoir or DePorter Lake. He loved to teach others to fish and had a great many fishing stories. He usually came home with fish unless he did not feel like cleaning them. Then back they went into the lake so that he could catch them again another time.

Tugo took part in many community activities. He was a member of the Sedgwick Chamber of Commerce. He felt an obligation to help whenever and wherever he could. He sat on the Sedgwick Cemetery Board since it was only a mile from where he lived. He and Wally McClary made sure the cemetery was cleaned up before Memorial Day and took pride in the little cemetery. Tugo was also one of the founding members of the Sedgwick Volunteer Fire Department and served many years. He stepped aside when there were enough of the younger people available to maintain and grow the Department to what it is today.

Tugo witnessed many things change throughout his lifetime, and through that journey, he carried himself with growing mindfulness and dignity.

Survivors include his sons Leslie and wife Marian Yoshimoto, Sedgwick, and Mark and wife Kathy Yoshimoto, Brighton; grandchildren Doug and wife Jenny Yoshimoto, Brighton, Kaylee and husband Karl Yoshimoto, Phoenix, Ariz., and Stacey Yoshimoto, Commerce City; great-grandchildren Morgan, Abigail, Taylor, Elanor and Adeline; along with many other relatives and friends.

Tugo is preceded in death by his wife Elsie; an infant son; parents; brother Shigeo; sister Yoshiko; and special friend Melpha Barnica.

A memorial has been established in Tugo’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 4 from 4-7 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Julesburg. Services will be on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sedgwick Buddhist Temple. Interment will be in the Sedgwick Cemetery.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.