CHRIS KENJI INOUYE
This young family was blessed with their 1st brand new home in Hacienda Heights, California. In 1991, another stroke of fortune occurred when the family moved to their 2nd new home in Rowland Heights. It was here that Christopher began his educational journey. Many outstanding honor, awards and certificates were granted at Hacienda Christian School and Blanford Elementary School where he was an honor student. Christopher then matriculated to Alvarado Middle School. He continued on the Principal's list with awards of honor, certificates and Perfect Attendance Awards while there. Christopher entered John A. Rowland High School where he was on the Principal's Honor Roll for 2 years and in the Baccalaureate Program. An athletic scholarship was awarded to him from the University of Hawaii after high school graduation. He also attended both Rio Hondo and Fullerton Community Colleges.
Christopher proved to have special gifts in the arts and in sports. His talents were first noted in the art of music. He began piano lessons at the early age of 6 years. He composed his 1st piano concerto and called it "Smooth as Silk." Christopher sent President Clinton a taping of this celebrated concerto in 1994; where he asked the President if he could join him (in a duet) on his saxophone the next time he was in town. Christopher was honored to have the President respond back with a letter of interest. In addition, Christopher was a member of the Alvarado Middle School Advanced Marching Band as a trumpeter, and was part of the music conservatory at Cal State Los Angeles. The theater also called to this handsome, talented young man and he performed a variety of parts on stage. John Robert Powers called him to a modeling career. He and his parents had the tough decision of choosing between a modeling career in New York, or going to the University of Hawaii where he was recruited on a baseball scholarship. We all know their choice.
This world became a better place when Christopher Kenji Inouye was born on August 13, 1985 in west Los Angeles, California. He was the 1st child born of the Holy matrimonial union of James and Brenda Inouye. Mr. & Mrs. Kenichi Inouye and Mr. & Mrs. L.C. "Joe" Stanley were also blessed with their 1st grandchild. This beautiful, bouncing baby boy was a blessing and loved dearly by his entire family.
Christopher and Ryan spent many enjoyable hours of activities together. They shared and unique and special bond; seldom challenged, Christopher sought to be a big brother that Ryan could look up to and respect. Ryan loved, cherished and often emulated the successes of his older brother. The family was held hostage to participate for several years in the Mercedes Benz and Acura Los Angeles Marathon and Bike Tour. This was a family event that Christopher participated in faithfully with his parents Kaz, Brenda, and brother Ryan. And of course, they always finished with a glowing smile and medallions to match. Carefully molded, the young brothers ecelled in many areas, given the focused, disciplined, and intense love of their mother and the serene, composed, and amorphous love of their father.
Although Chris had several gifts, baseball was his true passion. He played on the Rowland High School Varsity Baseball Team for 3 years and was honored the Baseball MVP Senior Player Award and his Letterman's Jacket. He also played with the O'keiki Monarch Travel Wood-bat Baseball Team and attended the Junior Olympics in Arizona for 2 weeks. He was a powerful left-hand pitcher, outfielder, 1st basemen, and catcher. He was recruited by the University of Hawaii Rainbow Baseball Team in 2003. He loved his time in Hawaii and was a regular beach goer. Being and avid swimmer and a member of the Industry Hills Sheraton Swim Team, Chris even acquired a true love for surfing. Christopher took part in several baseball camps over the years. He was in the All-American Baseball Academy Showcase Camp at California, Los Angeles. He played with several other travel baseball teams and wood bat leagues. Christopher excelled in baseball and he immensely enjoyed the competitive spirit of all sports. He feared no competition.
Other organized team sports Christopher transcended was indoor and outdoor-roller hockey; a passion for mountain biking, playing volleyball, competitive swimming, basketball, football, tennis, snowboarding, diving, and gold. He easily made the Varsity Football Team and even fished. Yes, Christopher had many devotions and was highly involved in sports throughout his years. He also prized "buffing-up" in the weight training room, and being a daily "rug-rat" at 24 Hour Fitness.
He had a very charismatic personality, his international appeal was his golden tan, slant eyes, beautiful "Colgate" smile that lit-up every room and immediately attracted you to him. He was the guy, "every girl wanted to be with-- and every guy wanted to be like."
Christopher was blessed with an array of family and friends that he held dear. He liked spending time with his loving family, hanging out with his friends, eating his father's well prepared meals, bonfires at the beach, Grandma's cooking, Grandpa Joe's BBQ ribs, his motorcycle, driving fast, his high school girlfriend who stole his heart and being a big brother to Ryan, were his loves.
P.S.
Christopher was a part-time employee at Hudd International in Rowland Hts., as a fork lift operator and was a pitcher for the Minor League Newport Beach Storm Baseball Team. He was letting everyone know that he was ready to take a full class schedule at Fullerton adn return to the Univ. of Hawaii. Do note that one week after Christopher's death, his Minor League Newport Beach Storm team, went on to win the World Championship Title for 2006. Coach Jerry said, "They couldn't have done it without Chris." Each of the team players chalked on their cap "CI" for Chris Inouye. They were playing for Chris and dedicating this win in his honor. Kaz will wear Christopher's championship ring and they are also gave us his jersey and ring posthumously. This is a huge accomplishment that Chris was working for, and would celebrate this achievement with open arms.
On December 4, 1989, the family was blessed with another exceptionally handsome and figted baby boy. He was named Ryan Kiyoshi Inouye. Christopher was elated, for he had waited four and a half years to become a big brother!
