Emerson K. Uyematsu

Emerson Keichi Uyematsu was born on December 15, 1945 in Sante Fe, New Mexico to Clarence and Grace Uyematsu. In 1946, the family moved to Livingston, California.

He graduated from Livingston High School in 1963.  After two years at Merced College, Emerson spent some years traveling, including time in Europe.  He refined his German language skills and learned to play the flamenco guitar.  He graduated from Cal State Stanislaus in 1975. Emerson spent two years in Chico, where he worked and took classes, learning to build guitars.

Emerson spent many years working on and running the family farm. He also served Atwater and the surrounding communities for almost 30 years as a State Farm insurance agent.

He was perhaps best known as an avid fisherman.  He was skilled in grafting fruit trees, taxidermy, and making fishing lures. Emerson was passionate about his projects and experiments: he built koi ponds, grew mushrooms and raised quail, Guinea hens, pheasants and turkeys.

Emerson was well known and well-loved in the community.  His many friends remember him as kind, loyal, thoughtful and caring.

Emerson passed unexpectantly on April 8, 2025, after having lunch with his brother, sister-in-law and cousin. He is survived by his brothers Clifton (Diane), Dennis (Jane) and Harrison (Cindy), nephews Tim (Sherry) and Danny (Kim), and niece Jamie (Isaac).

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