Ernest Michio Fujimoto

Sept. 2, 1928 - July 2, 2026

Ernest M Fujimoto was born in Watsonville, CA on September 2, 1928. Parents were Helen & Ernest Minoru Fujimoto. He spent his first 13 years of his life in Brawley, CA, (Imperial Valley). His father was a bookkeeper for Asamen farming operations. During the spring of 1942, the family was forced to “voluntary” evacuate to Campion Academy, Loveland, Colorado under the sponsorship of family physician, Dr. Augustus Foster. He graduated from Campion Academy under an accelerated high school program. He graduated from La Sierra College, Arlington, CA., 1949. He attended Los Angeles State College, various employment 1949-1951.

He was admitted to the Loma Linda School of Medicine, 1951-55. Received M.D. degree, 1955. He interned at Loma Linda Sanitarium & Hospital, 1955-56. He spent two years in navy military service, assigned to Camp Pendleton marine base, Oceanside, CA. Following discharge, he joined a family practice group, Downey, CA. 1958-61.

In July, 1961, he entered a Pediatric residency program at White Memorial Hospital, Los Angeles, CA. He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after 1961-63 residency. He joined a pediatric practice, Bellflower, CA (full & part-time). He was also employed by Los Angeles Unified School District as a school health physician.

In 1967-69, he was enrolled at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA. He received an M.P.H. degree. He then accepted a position as Assistant Health Officer. San Joaquin Local Health District, Stockton, CA., October, 1969.

During the next 25 years, he enjoyed working with other public health employees to keep communicable diseases under control and to keep immunizations levels high. This included working in well baby/child clinics. S.T.D. was a major problem during this period requiring both physicians and nurse practitioners for examination of the many patients who came for treatment. Prior to retirement in 1997, he was Acting Health Officer, Public Health Services, San Joaquin County.

In September 1969, Ernest and Martha (Fujiwara) were married, previously acquainted while she was employed as a laboratory medical technician at the family practice office, Downey, CA. Scott was born on August 25, 1972 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Stockton.

Ernest & Martha both had a common interest in world wide travel. They started with independent travels to the Northwest, Rocky Mountain/Yellowstone, New England states, Texas, Southern coastal states. Europe was covered through many Rick Steves tours. At the end, after retirement, they covered the six continents (Europe, North & South America, Asia, Australia, & Antarctica).

Traveling enlarged their vision of the earth with tolerance to many of the cultures involved

Thus their membership in the Sierra Club, Audubon, National Geographic, Natural Resources Defense Fund, etc.

His death was preceded by Martha (12-13-18) from liver/biliary cancer. After her passing, he continued to enjoy life with his son as caretaker, splitting his time between Stockton and Scott’s Montebello home, where he could continue to see his remaining relatives in the Southern California area. He passed away in the Stockton home on July 2, 2026, where he had lived for the past 47 years under the care of Hospice of San Joaquin, as per his wishes.

Per Ernest's request, no memorial chapel services. Graveside services only. Martha & I appreciated the many friendships that developed during the past fifty years.