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KENNETH MASUMI SHIMOGAWA
KENNETH MASUMI SHIMOGAWA
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KENNETH SHIMOGAWA Obituary
We lost a dear friend, colleague, and public education advocate when Kenneth Masumi Shimogawa suddenly passed away on April 27, 2016. He was 52.
Kenneth grew up in Anaheim. He attended Western High School, where he lettered in wrestling and was a member of the League championship team. Kenneth earned a history degree and teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. His teaching career in the Anaheim Union High School District began at Dale Junior High in 1997. He joined the faculty at Cypress High School in 2001, where he taught World History and Anthropology and advised the chess club.
At Cypress, Kenneth fell in love with the teacher next door - literally. Teresa Moran became Mrs. Shimogawa on May 12, 2009. They have three delightful children: 6-year-old Ethan Rory Mitsuhiro, 3-year-old Eloise Rose Halla and 1-year old Peter Jack Yasuhiro. Kenneth was a loving husband and father who instilled in them a love of reading, creativity, and learning.
Kenneth was a tireless advocate for public education. He served on the Anaheim Educators PAC representing the Anaheim Secondary Teachers Association. He also was a site representative for ASTA and on its Executive Board.
Kenneth's civic engagement extended to public libraries. He was Vice Chair of the City of Anaheim Library Board.
Kenneth was an ardent Star Trek fan. He loved its utopian vision because he was an optimist who always believed that when people work together for the common good, anything is possible.
In addition to his wife and children, Kenneth is survived by his sister, Lois Lee (Mark), niece, Jessica and nephews, David and Tobin; his brother, David Shimogawa (Debbie), nieces, Chelsea and Jenna, and nephew, Kyle. He is also survived by his in-laws, Rory and Halla Moran; his brother-in-law, Eric Moran (Melinda); and sister-in-law, Kristina Schultz (Scott). Kenneth also leaves a son from a previous relationship, Keanu Tenzing Masumi Shimogawa. Kenneth was predeceased by his parents, Mitsuhiro and Lenore Shimogawa.
Kenneth's service and a celebration of life reception will be at the Orange County Buddhist Church, Saturday, May 14th at 11AM. The address is 909 S. Dale Avenue, Anaheim. Everyone is welcome.
A Go Fund Me page was established by a student to assist Kenneth's young family: https://www.gofundme.com/2ggat4cc
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Stephen Conway
March 4, 2019
Kenneth,
I will always remember you as a Good friend in my otherwise difficult times at Cypress College in the mid-1980s.
I salute you! Rest in Peace.
LTC Stephen Conway and family
United States Army Reserve
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Stephen Conway
March 4, 2019
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of my friend Kenny shimogawa. At that time, he wanted to be called Kenny. He and I met at Cypress College at the gym about 1983. He was inspired by the movie Valley Girl. He followed the 'new romantic/new wave' styles back in the mid-80s. He was influenced a lot by early Duran Duran and Culture Club . For a while, he sported a waterfall haircut . Hopefully some of you have pictures of him with that cut . You couldn't really see his face because of his long bangs . He and I would go to Old World or to a couple other clubs. We were both into the New Wave Music at the time. He went a Long Beach State and I went to Cal State Fullerton. The last time I saw him, in 1999, he came to see me when I was living up in Victorville. He was showing me how he made this custom jacket with a Klingon symbol. He said his students thought he was cool. Kenneth and I shared some similar things like having a marriage and kids later in life. I did not know until tonight that he passed away. I'm glad that the GoFundMe page was successful. Interesting that Kenneth birthday is only 5 days before mine. My father-in-law is also named Kenneth and his birthday is on the same day as his. I am happy to see that Kenneth let the legacy of very interested in happy students at every school he taught at.
Kenneth always ask me some political questions. Because I was an officer in the Army National Guard, he had some contrarian arguments on politics. I did not know that he was a history major.
I am still in shock over the loss of my friend that I see how his widow has been blogging her grief. The way she describes how Kenneth acted before he hit it off with her was the way I would see him be shy around a female. I'm so glad that Kenneth met the woman of his dreams and conceived three beautiful kids. Kenneth, rest in peace!
Joanne Fawley
May 7, 2016
Kenneth was a true Renaissance man. He and his wife Teresa are two of my best friends and taught side by side at Cypress High School.
Kenneth's sudden passing sent shock waves through our school as students and colleagues both mourned his passing. He positively affected our lives in so many different ways.
His memory and legacy will live on in his three delightful young children, Ethan, Eloise and Peter.
I miss him daily along with our frequent banters and shared rants.
Thank you Kenneth for being a passionate history and anthropology teacher, promoter of public education, dedicated union brother, extraordinary political campaigner, climate protector and warrior for social justice.
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