Grandmaster Calvin B. Shin was born September 29th, 1933 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the fifth of six children. He was raised on Oahu and graduated from McKinley High School. He was always very athletic and mischievous, and a hard worker. His father died when he was 18 and much of the family responsibilities fell to him as a vegetable and livestock farmer in the carnation farming business. After his fathers passing he took additional work at the pineapple cannery as well as Hickam Air Force Base as a civilian employee. In 1957 he transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Ca.

 

In His transfer to the mainland, he began training with Sensei Antonio Ramos Sr. after meeting on the Air Base, and trained 5 days a week. In 1964 he became the first black belt promoted in California under Kajukenbo's Emperado Method. He eventually worked his ability to the caliber of sparring with the likes of Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Ron Marchini, Mike Stone and Byong Yu. He even had the glory of challenging Master Bruce Lee for his 1-inch punch. In 1969, he left Grandmaster Ramos to come under the direct founder and creator of the Kajukenbo system, Professor Adriano D. Emperado. In October of that year, he obtained permission to open his own dojo by his Professor. This is also the same year he married the love of his life, Pamela Flook, whom he met as a student while training under Antonio Ramos Sr. in 1967.

 

Family life began for him at this time with the birth of his first son, Calvin George Shin (George) in 1971, followed by his 2nd son, David in 1972. All the while continuing to grow his dojo and support his family. A few years later his daughter Sarah was born. He found a balance between family, work and passion for the Kajukenbo way of life and maintained his dojo. Pamela sacrificed her martial arts training for having and raising babies, whom would all be training by the time they were just beyond toddlers.

 

There was much livin, lovin and laughing in the next years. Cal and Pamm always hosted a New Years Eve party for all their friends, camping, abalone diving, fishing, wrenchin on cars or just plain hangin out. You were blessed if you got in on he and his friends "talkin story."

 

After a number of health ailments, by 1989, he retired from civil service and closed his dojo. He reopened it in 1994 at the request of his former black belt students. This proved to benefit him and his family in many ways, but especially, rekindling his passion for Health and the Kajukenbo way of life. In 2000, he watched his daughter compete in the World Championships in Hawaii, along side all men in the black belt division, while she was a brown belt.

 

In 2004 his eldest son George returned to train along side Calvin. He was blessed with watching and promoting his son the rank of Black belt with all the pride that accompanies that accomplishment. After the birth of her children, his daughter Sarah also returned to his school. She was promoted to black belt in 2009. At the same ceremony, George was promoted to the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt, assuring the legacy Cal worked his entire life to create, would live on.

 

Calvin B. Shin was many things. A Father, Husband, Brother, Friend, Teacher, Mentor, the list goes on. But he was also an amazingly giving soul with an incorrigible sense of humor, infectious energy. A rennaissance man of sorts, not just gifted in Martial Arts. He was also a great singer and dancer, loved raquetball and cycling, camping and fishing, abalone diving, cooking, eating :) but most of all, laughing, He was the party. Along side his lifelong friends Lenny Ramirez, Henry Monderen and Richard (Porch) Peters, they would talk stories and captivate a room in laughter laced in Pigeon english that only made every story even more hilarious. If you had a chance to be there, you know exactly. His dedication to Kajukenbo, his devotion to his wife and children and undying loyalty to his friends and his presence, his larger than life presence, to say will be greatly missed by many, would be a great understatement.

 

He spent quite a bit of time these recent years with Wesley Low, Gene Kitade, James Roux but always thought of everyone. Including his adoring Niece Claudia in Hawaii, who called faithfully every week. But there was one man by his side, always. Lenny Ramirez. He could not have been a better friend and sidekick/partner in crime and was his best friend. Inseparable for the last 50 years, separated only now in death.

 

He is survived by his Wife of 45 years, Pamela, Sons, George and David, Daughter, Sarah, his 4 grandchildren; Justice, Jesse, Benji and Bella, his brother Morris, His niece, Claudia, nieces and nephews throughout Hawaii and California and thousands of friends that not only loved him, respected him as a Class Act. A true Living Legend has passed into the light. As we mourn, so do we celebrate the incredible life he lived and legacy of honor, determination , love and laughter.

 

In the words of his favorite camp boss t-shirt "oh lord, its hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way" he truly was nothing short of that, humble perfection.

 

Almighty and eternal god, protector of all who put their trust in thee, accept the humble homage of our faith and love in thee, the one true God.  Bless our efforts to preserve the integrity of our United States, a nation founded on Christian principles. Enlighten our rules, guide our law makers, protect the sanctity of our homes, and bless our efforts in these exercises whose sole purpose is to develop our bodies to keep others mindful of thy commandments.  Give us perseverance in our actions, that we may use this as a means to keep closer to you, the one true God. In the name of thy beloved son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

 

Thank you for loving him, Pamm, George, David and Sarah