Pleasant Grove High School

Jean Aiko Inabu (Kami - 11/30/2017

Class of 1941

Born in Lynndyl, Utah, September 10, 1922. According to her mother, Fute, she was actually born September 9 by a midwife. Lynndyl was a small town with a small records office and her birth was dated the following day as September 10.

At age 13 the family moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah. After graduating from Pleasant Grove High School, she enrolled in beauty school and became a hairdresser much to the objection of her father who wanted all his children to attend college. She worked as a hairdresser in Salt Lake City for $15/week.

After World War II, Jean’s father lost his position as foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad and the family moved to Los Angeles. Enough money was saved by her mother that the family was able to purchase an apartment building. From that investment, her Dad was able to purchase two more apartment buildings and 2 hotels which they operated until their retirement.

Her father then financed Jean to establish a business, the Merri-Lyn Beauty Salon in Los Angeles. She operated that business and was able to buy a 5 unit apartment building near Dodger Stadium. She inherited an 8 unit apartment building and retired from the beauty shop business. Upon moving to Leisure World, Mesa, she sold the apartment business and retired full time with her husband who retired from ITT Gilfillan as a design engineer designing radar equipment.

She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Fong, and husband, Ray Fong, two grandchildren, David and April Fong, a brother, Tom Inabu, sister Sue George, and 14 nieces and nephews. Brother Sadao and sisters Jane, Helen, Fumiyo and Hana have preceded Jean.

There have been 0 fuzzies left so far.

Comments or Memories