Junior Kazuaki Yagi

Junior Kazuaki Yagi, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away after a short battle of Lung Cancer and Heart Complications at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah on Nov. 14, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Riverside, Utah, March 18, 1932, son of Jugoro and Fusa Yagi, married his sweetheart Selma Mori on June 25, 1955, and later sealed in the LDS Ogden Temple. Junior was best known for his great love of baseball (an avid New York Yankee fan), University of Utah athletics, his devotion to his family and his thoughtfulness towards others. He farmed in West Corinne with his brother Milt for 45 years and was known for his immaculate caretaking of his farm. He retired in 2000 and moved to Salt Lake City to be closer to his family. His grandchildren became his passion and his livelihood. They loved and adored him and called him "Popi". He played baseball for Bear River High School and after graduating in 1950, he attended the University of Utah and served in the Korean War in the U.S. Army. His love of baseball turned him to coaching where he coached the Brigham City American Legion baseball team for 33 years. His distinction was his love and respect for each player. He is still called by his players as "Coach Yagi". He was later honored for his 47 years of direct involvement with American Legion Baseball. Junior was an avid "Ute Fan" and a member of the University of Utah Crimson Club. He hardly ever missed a basketball or football game in over 40 years, though he lived nearly 70 miles away. It was a rarity to ever see him wear anything but red. Junior was a member of the LDS Church and served in many capacities. He is survived by his wife, Selma, five children and 10 grandchildren: Randy (Stacey) Yagi and their children Ellie, Brady and Abe; Rick Yagi and his children Tyler, Carter and Lindsay; Stephen Yagi, Susan (Scott) Booth and their children Jake and Aiden; and Kari Jo (Dewey) Reagan and their children Will and Spencer. Also surviving are his brother Milton (Reiko) Yagi and his sisters Rose (Buster) Mayeda, Shigeko (Bill) Mizuno and Helen Yagi. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother Shegenori and sister Amy Yagi. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, Nov. 19, 2007 at the Willowcreek 2nd Ward (2115 East Creek Road, Sandy). Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing on Sunday, Nov. 18, from 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn (2350 E. 1300 S.) and Monday, Nov. 19, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. prior to funeral services. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Published in the Deseret News from 11/17/2007 - 11/18/2007.