Spreckels, CA. – George Tanimura of Tanimura & Antle celebrates milestone centennial birthday this weekend. Family, business partners and friends joined together to honor the highly regarded Salinas family farmer and patriarch of the Tanimura family. The event commemorated George’s extraordinary life journey including his dedication to the California and Arizona farming industry.
To celebrate the family’s first centenarian, a gala dinner was held at the Tanimura & Antle home ranch in a festively decorated tent. 600 guests were greeted by 8 skydivers jumping from 8000 feet above and circled their way down in streaming smoke trails and colourful banners etching the skies. Taiko Drummers artfully entertained and invited guests into the main tent. Following dinner a beautiful tribute video was presented along with a 15-minute spectacular fireworks display to cap off the celebration.
The centrepieces were elegantly created in a contemporary Japanese floral design by Soho Sakai of San Francisco. Guests dined on a colourful produce-focused dinner beautifully presented by McCalls Catering of San Francisco.
“We are so humbled to be celebrating the life and legacy of such an incredible man,” stated Mike Antle, Senior Vice President and Partner. “George has been an invaluable mentor to three generations of the Antle family, as well as, to countless others at T & A. His generosity with his knowledgeable life experiences will be with us all forever.”
George has actively participated in farming innovation in the Salinas Valley since the early 1930’s. One of his most passionate projects is drip irrigation. He advocated and developed advanced uses of the technology to save water, cut costs, and improve farming practices.
His personal pride and joy is the Tres Picos Ranch in Huron, CA that he enjoys visiting each week during the harvest. Being on the ranch brings George humble peace and happiness. When asking him to reflect on his prior positions of leadership and professional milestones in his life, he simply laughed and said, “It doesn’t matter, I’m just a farmer.”
As the patriarch of the Tanimura family, everyone personally and professionally looks to George to lead discussion, share wisdom, and ultimately make hard decisions. On any given day you will find George working on the farm or in the office asking the “young guys” questions. George listens much more than he speaks, but when he speaks, he imparts his wisdom to those lucky enough to hear it.
George currently serves in many Director and Officer positions within the Tanimura family companies as well as the Tanimura & Antle companies. Through the years George has served in many leadership positions including President of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas multiple times, President of the Yamato Cemetery, Director for Pacific Ag Rentals, etc.
George and his wife of 70 years, Masaye, have two children, Glenn Tanimura, his wife Sheila, and Leslie Morishita and her husband Ken. They also have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
History of the Tanimura Family
Three generations ago, the Tanimura family first immigrated to the United States from Japan. Second-generation Japanese-American, George Tanimura was born in San Juan Bautista on July 2, 1915. The eldest of 12 siblings, George attended grammar school in Castroville during the 1920s while also working on his father’s small farm thinning iceberg lettuce.
Several years later his mother passed away forcing George to quit high school to farm with his father. In the midst of the Great Depression when George was 16 years old, his father passed away leaving George with the responsibility for the family and its farm. George and his brothers and sisters moved to a ranch house near Aromas, California. As a teenage patriarch, he was forced to guide the family through numerous historical and economic challenges.
Under George’s brave leadership, the Tanimura children began their own farming operations.
The Tanimura family business prospered. However, in December 1941 people of Japanese ancestry were sent to internment camps. George and most of the Tanimura family were interned while two brothers joined the United States Army.
During the time in the camp, the Tanimura family lost everything. However, George found Masaye Yamauchi and they were married on September 21, 1944. Upon release, the Tanimura family farmed small patches of land, saved the profits, and ultimately purchased their first acre of land, restarting the Tanimura’s trek toward the American Dream.
In the late 1950’s, the Tanimura’s began to grow exclusively for Bud Antle. Bud, and his son Bob Antle, began working closely with the Tanimura family. A great partnership began when the Antle’s strong packing and shipping expertise was joined with the Tanimura’s hard working spirit and growing knowledge of the market.
George Tanimura and Bob Antle became the Co-Chairmen of the Board when the partnership formalized in 1982 when the Tanimura and Antle families combined over 50 years of mutual friendship, respect and experience to create Tanimura & Antle.
About Tanimura & Antle
Tanimura & Antle, lead by CEO and President, Rick Antle, is an industry leader whose commitment to premium quality produce has remained strong since its formation in 1982. The Tanimura & Antle families combined years of experience and knowledge to establish a produce company unrivaled in its quality products, innovation and dedication to growers, customers, consumers and employees. Today, as one of the largest independent lettuce growers in the United States, Tanimura & Antle farms more than 45,000 acres of rich, fertile farmland and ships a full line of premium fresh produce products throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.taproduce.com.
Source: Tanimura & Antle
