Today (the second Mother’s Day without you) is another reminder how out of balance and unnatural life can be as children should never pass before their parents. In two days it will be fifteen months since your passing and it still feels like the day you left us.

Your passing continues to leave such a large void and pain because we miss you so very much. Not a single day passes without thinking of you and the memories you have left behind. There were so many things you still had wanted to do, things to offer the world and life to live. It is a painful loss for us that have been privileged to have had you in our life.

The only solace is that you are pain free and will be there……….. waiting.

Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Proverbs 12:28

In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.


Celebration Of The Life Of Herbert Allen Shimoyama Jr.

On February 10, 2021 a wonderful son and brother, Herbert Allen Shimoyama Jr. passed away and went to be with the Lord. He is now at peace with no more pain or suffering. We are all heartbroken as he left us way too soon.

Herbert Allen Shimoyama Jr. was born on May 23, 1976, the bicentennial year in Philadelphia, the son of Sonja Hoffmann and Herbert Allen Shimoyama. During Herb’s younger years he explored many religions, determining his religious beliefs was an eclectic mix of many religions. It was what sustained him through his life as he endured many medical obstacles; jaundice, skull fracture, Osgood Sclatter’s Disease and finally IgA Neuropathy.

Though plagued with these conditions he still lived life to the fullest as much as possible. He was an avid reader of Sylvia Browns books, as well as others and believed we all choose our paths before being sent here. Many times he said “I must have drunk too much wine in Heaven to have chosen such a difficult path”.

Despite his medical situations Herb was able to be on honor roll, skip 11th grade and receive a college scholarship.

Being inter-racial, Herb embraced his many cultures and ethnicities with curiosity and wonder. He especially pursued the culture and clothing of his Japanese

heritage and was heavily into anime. Herb loved that he was the amalgamation of so many cultures and made it a point to know and understand each one. He believed it was one of the things that made him unique.

Herb loved the martial arts and had an obsession with Bruce Lee and his techniques, studying them intensely. Sadly at twelve, when he was taking one of his belt tests for Tae Kwon Do, he had a hard landing and ended up with Osgood Schlatter’s Disease.

Herb’s favorite holiday’s were Halloween and Christmas where he went all out. On Halloween he’d decorate the yard, then dress up so he could scare the children and have fun with them. Many cars passing by would stop and let their children get out because of the decorations for their children to trick or treat. On Christmas he enjoyed decorating the yard with as many decorations as he could find room for on the yard. His Christmas yard decorations can still be viewed on You Tube. (https://youtu.be/sO2zd0r8UzI)

While growing up Herb could never get enough of the outdoors. Bike riding, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, canoeing and going to places such as Great Adventure and national parks. Friends gave him rides on their Harley’s but he always wanted to own one himself. In fact, he would spend hours at the dealership looking at bikes and buying accessories. Unique sport cars he enjoyed and always tried to get to the annual car show. He liked going to the Franklin Institute where he could interact with so many things.

Herb belonged to several organizations in his earlier years. Big Brothers, he had two; Police Athletic League (PAL) and the Variety Club. During some summers he went to summer camp for two weeks. A chance for him to meet and make new friends.

He was fascinated with all the new technology and devices, wanting to be the first to get it. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with anyone who would listen, making himself available to friends and neighbors to fix their computers or assist with other devices. It seemed he just had a natural knack for it.

He loved animals and had many kinds while growing up and as an adult. He had fish, turtle, salamander, two parakeets (Tweetie & Ponch), two cats (Snuggles & Stormie) and two big dogs (Maxx & Kane). Kane was a pet therapy dog that Herb took to the nursing to interact with the patients there. They loved the weekly visits with Kane.

Herb was intrigued with the paranormal, UFO’s, Bermuda Triangle, the black hole and the earth’s magnetic field spending many hours watching shows and researching about them.

Gaming was something he started at an early age with Pong and Atari. First shooter and fighting games were his favorite. It was a hobby he really enjoyed which he used to get rid of his frustrations. When he was upset it was a release for him.

Listening to his MP 3 player was his way of relaxing. He enjoyed listening to music to get his mind off things and just relax. Herb listened to many types of music; soul, gospel, alternative and rock & roll.

Herb never believed in working for someone only wanting to be an entrepreneur. His goal was to have passive income and pursued many avenues trying to find that perfect fit for himself.

He never married seeking to be in a financial position to take care of a family first. Later he felt his illness would be a hindrance to a wife and many women couldn’t handle his illness. He had always hoped to have a family one day.

It was only after his father’s death he was able to connect with his siblings. He was so happy they were all able to connect and share stories, they were surprised to learn they had many things in common.

In May 2006, on his birthday; Herb found out he had IgA Neuropathy, a hereditary disorder which attacks the kidneys most likely coming from his Japanese heritage. It is an orphan disease with no cure. In February 2007, Herb went into renal failure and started a never ending process of dialysis. He was excited when in July of 2009 he was given a kidney transplant but at the end of 2010 the IgA Neuropathy attacked the transplanted kidney and he was back in renal failure March 2011.

Herb spent the last quarter of his life battling and dealing with the IgA Neuropathy. In his last few years there was work being done on an artificial kidney which he was looking forward to hopefully being one of the first recipients of. Sadly it was not to be.

Herb looked at the world mostly in a positive light and what he could contribute to make it better, especially for those also suffering from the same illnesses and diseases as himself. He liked to joke around and have a good time and was always up for a good conversation about the topics he liked and cared about.

There are so many things Herb still was focused on accomplishing. He hoped for a world where all kinds of prejudice was a thing of the past and where technology had made diseases and ailments a thing which no longer existed. He had wanted the stem cell research to progress more quickly then it seemed to.

Herb is survived by those who shared his life even though maybe only briefly, his mother Sonja Hoffmann; his Siblings Mehoshi Shimoyama, Keylisha Shimoyama, Chrysyn Harp, Eric Shimoyama, Anton Briggs and Janene Hughes; his aunts Linda Adams; Jeannie Cotton; Isabella Unger; Arabella Greinwald; his uncle Helmut Kraus; his godmother Etta Loveheart.

We celebrate Herb’s shortened life; Rest in Peace Herb until we meet again.