Roll Model
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Alhambra City Councilman Gary Yamauchi is inducted into the JANBA Hall of Fame.

Gary Yamauchi bowls during his competitive
career which spanned the 1960s and 1970s.

Alhambra City Councilman Gary Yamauchi has added a new honor to his list of titles at the recent Japanese American National Bowling Association awards ceremony.

Yamauchi, a graduate of Gardena High School and founder of Tri-Star Vending, one of the largest independent vending services businesses in Southern California was inducted as the newest member of the Southern California JANBA Hall of Fame.

The Chicago-born Yamauchi was selected in the category of tournament performance, after capturing multiple Japanese American National titles over a fourteen-year tournament career.

In addition to his JANBA titles, the Helms Athletic Foundation named Gary as its Junior Bowler of the Year after bowling back-to-back 300 games at the age of 15. He also represented Southern California in the Bowling Proprietors National Match Game Championships in 1963 and 1964.

In 1973, Yamauchi led his team to the Greater Los Angeles All Stars League Championship, the nation’s highest scoring traveling league, as well as leading the entire league in scoring with a 210 average. That same year, he was named to the Southern California Bowling Writers All-Professional Team.