JAMES [JIMMY] KAORU WASA James [Jimmy] Kaoru Wasa peacefully left us on February 21, 2014, he was 93. He led a full and memorable life playing baseball in Hawaii and working alongside his brothers and uncle at Wasa Electrical Service. He was born on December 15, 1920 and was the oldest of 4 children. He lived most of his early life in the Moiliili district and attended Kuhio grammar school, Washington intermediate, and McKinley High School. He played three years of varsity baseball from 1937 through 1939. He also was part of the 1938 championship football team and was named to the prep All-Star team. Later, Jimmy played for the Asahi's in the Hawaii Baseball League as an infielder. Then in 1942, he was asked by the Braves and Asahi coaches to play for the Hawaii Braves, a friendly rival of the Asahi's, which he did for seven years. While with the Braves, he together with Sparky Neves and Collie Souza became the legendary double-play combination. After the seven years, Jimmy came back to the Asahi's to finish out his career. During WWII, he had the opportunity to play with Joe DiMaggio and Satchel Paige. He worked with his brothers Shigeo and George and his uncle Charles at Wasa Electrical Services which his brother Shigeo started. Wasa Electrical Services began in 1950 and now has over 375 employees with branches on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. He enjoyed his family and often said he never regretted giving up the baseball life because he had a good family, good children, and good friends - no regrets. He is survived by his wife Yaeko, son James Akira, and daughters Judith Nakamura [Earl], Leilani Leathers [Craig], Cynthia Nakachi, and 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grand- daughter, 2 step-grandsons, and 2 step-great-grandsons. Services will be on March 29, 2014 at 10:00am at Hosoi Mortuary.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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