In Memoriam

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To All:

I am very sad to pass on this news of the death of our good friend and long-time member, Perry Kono.  His sister, Mitzi, reflected that Perry was fortunate to be part of Buena’s golf clubs where he followed his passion for golf surrounded by the friendship and camaraderie of its members. Playing almost every Tuesday and monthly Sundays for over twenty years was a ritual to him.  He rarely missed playing on those days; in fact he passed away three days after playing a round of golf on a Tuesday.

As per his wishes, Perry’s ashes were spread at sea outside the Ventura Harbor in a memorial service attended by his VMGC playing partners, Michael Wagner, Don Slayton and Hans Schomaker among others.  To honor Perry, Mitzi has authorized his estate to donate $900 to The Buena Seniors and our club.  We will be distributing some of this money as additional prize money to the winners of a Perry Kono Memorial Tournament (at one of our Sunday Tournaments to be decided by Bob).

R.I.P.

Don Slayton

  Harold “Perry” Kono 

Perry was born in Manhattan, New York, on December 12, 1929 and died peacefully on October 1, 2021.  He is survived by his brother Bob Kono (Fairfield, CA) and sister Mitzi Kono (Santa Monica, CA).  At age 11, the family moved to his mother’s birthplace, Hilo (The Big Island), Hawaii.  In 1947, the family moved to Santa Monica, CA.  Perry joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA, where he learned telecommunications in the Signal Corps.  After his discharge, he worked for General Telephone until his retirement.  Perry learned golf from his father and was a 10-handicapper for many years.  He was a lifetime member of the BSMGC and also a member of the Buenaventura Men’s Club and Sterling Hills Senior Men’s Club.  His score of 21 on Buenaventura’s Hole #8 is a Buena Seniors club record and recognized with a plaque in the Buenaventura Locker Room.