Kusuo Koite, Sr.

Kusuo Koite, Sr., 96, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 11, 2022 with his daughter by his side. He was born on October 22, 1926 to Tom Koite and Petra Hernandez Koite in La Paloma, Texas.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attained the rank of Private First Class and carried out the tasks of a Heavy Truck Driver.

Kusuo’s ultimate passion was farming. He was devoted to the land. He knew everything about farming and fixing tractors and other farm machinery. He was a very hard worker and very proud of his harvest. He loved the land.

In his leisure time, Kusuo enjoyed the beach, fishing, helping family and friends, fixing cars and lawn mowers, and pampering his chihuahuas.

Kusuo was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Maria Engracia Campos Koite; his parents, Tom and Petra H. Koite; his sisters, Netti, Chiyoko, Hatsuko; and brothers, Masao and Samuel.

Left to treasure Kusuo’s memory are his children, Elvia (Mark) Berry, Kusuo Koite Jr., Nora (Marco) Arredondo, Diana Koite; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will also be greatly missed by his surviving brothers, Maso, Jimmie, Goro, and Akio.

The Koite family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Harlingen, Texas. Following the Mass, Kusuo will be laid to rest with full military honors at Las Rucias Memorial Cemetery.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Kusuo Koite Jr., Carlos Lugo, Gary Esparza, Dante Berry, Daryl Arredondo. Akio Koite, Goro Koite, and Jimmie Koite will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Click the link below "Recitation of the Holy Rosary" to view the service via livestream.