Norman Shimoda Obituary

NORMAN IWAO SHIMODA Norman Iwao Shimoda, 91, was caught up to heaven on November 15th, 2023, after years of suffering with Parkinson's Disease. At his bedside he was bid a loving farewell by his family and Christian friends. Norman was born on February 23, 1932, to Atsuo and Fujiko Shimoda in a little house on John Ena Road in Waikiki and was welcomed by his two older sisters, Emiko and Sachiko. The family later moved to Algaroba Street but on December 7, 1941, their house burned down when an anti-air craft bomb from Punchbowl, aiming for the Japanese air planes fell on their block and caused a huge fire. The family moved to Kapahulu to live with their Aunty and Uncle and Norman attended Waikiki Elementary, Kaimuki Intermediate and Kaimuki High Schools. His high school met only half days because of WWII, and the shortage of buildings, and so Norman and his friends, swam, surfed, and speared fish in Waikiki Beach and ate coconuts in the morning hours. After graduation, Norman attended colleges at Boise, Idaho, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and graduated with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Physics. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany for 2 years and when discharged he worked at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for 30 years, where he had helped to initiate the Radiological Control Lab. Norman "Bang Bang" married his sweetheart, Helen Noguchi and raised two sons, Craig and Todd. Norman loved his sons and taught them to spear fish, judo, water ski at Keehi Lagoon, how to properly handle and shoot rifles and to clean the carburetor of the car. He took his family to explore the Islands, California and European countries from Israel to England. Norman cherished his grand children. Whenever they visited from California, Norman spent fun times with them but at night they begged to hear fantastic stories he "made up" about the kings of old Hawaii. As a young adult, Norman received Jesus Christ as his Savior and later served as an Elder in the church. With his love for the Lord, he shared that love with youngsters at church every Friday night for over 40 years. He taught the Bible, took them camping, swimming, and showed them how to spear fish. After his retirement he traveled to Egypt. Iceland, Japan and China. but he also helped to care for his aging Mother and once a week drove a few elderly friends for sight-seeing around Oahu or kept beauty-shop appointments for a 90+ year old widowed church friend. Norman is survived by Helen Shimoda, his wife and partner for 64 years, his sons Craig and Todd, their wives, Devon and Elizabeth, 5 grandchildren, Diana, and Ryan Shimoda, Kyle (Pia), Bethany (Nathaniel) Tomokiyo. Amanda (Tim) Ma and 2 great grandchildren, Elijah Shimoda and Reanne Tomokiyo. Norman loved his family and was delighted that they all love and follow the Lord Jesus. Funeral services are scheduled at Mililani Memorial Park (Mauka) on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. Arrangements Provided By: Mililani Memorial Park Mauka