In Memoriam
Born: Toshikazu Kodoike, June 25, 1916, Miye-ken, Japan
Died: Thomas Kodiak, Dec. 12, 2005, Naperville, IL
My Grandfather lived a good life. While I know few of the details to his life before I was born, I feel compelled to share and preserve my understanding of some of what transpired.
His mother was a Samurai. His father, a Christian. These things did not mix in Japan at the dawn of the 20th century. Upon marriage my great-grandmother was disowned from her family, ultimately leading to the family’s immigration to America. He had a sister. He was 5 years old.
Upon immigration their names were Americanized, creating the family name I carry today. They settled in Monterey, CA. His father became a Pastor at a church, the church still stands and supposedly contains a stained glass window with text dedicated to my great-grandfather. He often talked of how his father was an incredible martial artist. I recall stories of how his father taught Kendo (the art of fighting with a katana) and would literally leap over students as he fought. Some exaggeration, perhaps. Nonetheless, he became a talented martial artist as well. I know little more about his life before WWII.
He was about my age at the outbreak of the war. I am unable to comprehend what it must have been like to be Japanese in California at such a time. His family was placed in Internment Camps. He escaped to Mexico. In Mexico he wrestled professionally for several years, building a love for mexican food and Westerns that he carried to the end of his days. Reflecting, my earliert memories of eating mexican food are with my grandfather. I suppose that is why I like it so much. He often told the story of how he fought the reigning Mexican wrestling champion and defeated him. The first match was followed by a second. As my grandfather tells it, he threw the second match knowing that he would be going back to the US soon while the champion would always live in Mexico.
After some time, he re-entered the US and settled in the Chicago area. He told everyone he was Korean. No one knew any better. Deciding to become a chiropractic doctor, he went to the school where he met my grandmother. My father was born and the family adopted twin japanese girls. They grew up in Waukegan, IL.
I recall my visits to the Waukegan house. The best part was the “Adjustment” that we always received. The merits of having two chiropractic doctors for grandparents. It felt more or less like a massage magnified by an order of magnitude, except my grandfather always had lots of acupuncture charts and other remedies lying around.
In recent years, he moved to an assisted living facility in Naperville where he could be closer to my family. As he grew older, it was clear that his mental acuity had begun to fade. This is, in my mind, the most frightening aspect of old age. It terrifies me that there may come a day when my short term memory no longer functions. Nonetheless, he was always adamant about excercise. He refused to admit that anything was bothering him; when asked, things were always “fine, fine”.
He weathered the most frightening storms this century had to offer. My life has been undeniably shaped by his actions. Many ways, I have not realized until the past hour. And so, i share this with you. That I might better preserve who I am. And in the telling, forge another link in our bond of friendship.
