Grant Masashi Ujifusa

Obituary

Grant Masashi Ujifusa

January 4, 1942- October 21, 2024

Grant Masashi Ujifusa, 82, passed away on October 21, 2024, in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. He was born January 4, 1942, in Worland, Wyoming, to Tom and Mary (Okugawa) Ujifusa.

Grant grew up in Worland, where he developed a deep appreciation for community and family that would stay with him throughout his life. As a student at Worland High School, he was active in school life and played quarterback for the Worland Warriors, helping lead the team to a state football championship in 1959.

After graduating high school, Grant pursued higher education in the East, graduating from Harvard University in 1965 and later earning a graduate degree from Brown University. He went on to build a distinguished career as a book editor, working with major publishing houses including Houghton Mifflin, Random House, and Macmillan.

Grant became widely known in political and policy circles as the founding editor and co-author of The Almanac of American Politics, first published in 1972. The influential reference book became an essential guide to American politics for journalists, lawmakers, and scholars.

One of Grant's proudest accomplishments was his leadership role in securing justice for Japanese Americans who were forcibly incarcerated during World War II. As legislative strategy chair for the Japanese American Citizens League, he helped guide the effort that resulted in passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which offered a formal apology and compensation to survivors of the internment camps. His knowledge of the political process played a behind-the-scenes role in persuading President Ronald Reagan to sign the legislation into law.

In recognition of his efforts, the Government of Japan awarded Grant the Order of the Rising Sun, an honor often compared to a knighthood, for his work advocating for Japanese American redress.

Despite living much of his adult life on the East Coast, Grant remained deeply proud of his Wyoming roots. He often spoke fondly of his upbringing in Worland and the values of community and hard work he learned growing up there.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary Ujifua.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Brooks Ujifusa; sons, Steven (Alexandra Vinograd), Andrew (Jennifer), and John; a sister, Susan Diamond (Stephen); grandsons: Isaac and Max; niece, Margo Diamond Strayhorn and a nephew Theodore Diamond.

A celebration of life to honor Grant will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday June 20, 2026 at the United Methodist Church in Worland, Wyoming with Rev. Kayla Houck officiating. A graveside service will be held at Riverview Memorial Gardens cemetery following services. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.