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HARRY SHIMOTSU Obituary

HARRY H. SHIMOTSU LA FERIA - Harry H. Shimotsu passed away on Friday, November 30, 2013. He was born on March 9, 1920. His parents had moved to the Rio Grande Valley from Colorado in 1915 having migrated from Japan in 1912. By the time he was 8 years old Harry was helping haul the family's cotton crop to the gin in an old wagon. Harry was showing signs of becoming a real produce salesman as he peddled fruits and vegetables for his father. After serving his country from 1945-46 in the U. S. Army Infantry in Germany during World War II, he returned to the Rio Grande Valley and was one the first Americans of Japanese descent to purchase land in the area. Harry started with 72 acres of farmland and worked up to 3,500 acres a few years later. Harry began his tenure as CEO and General Manager of Sharyland Plantation and Plantation Produce in 1973. Also known as "Car 1", Harry expanded operations to West Texas, New Mexico and Mexico where a variety of vegetables were grown, packed and shipped. Over the years Harry devoted a considerable amount of time and resources to the development of agriculture, serving on various agricultural committees and receiving numerous awards. In addition to being a long term board member of the Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District #19, he was named National Cotton Farmer of the Year in 1983 and a member of the Texas International Produce Association Hall of Fame in 1992. One of the greatest honors was having a Sharyland ISD school named after him, "Harry Shimotsu Elementary School". Harry was a man of keen intelligence with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Harry and Machi (deceased), his wife of over 50 years, always stressed education and a strong work ethic in rearing their four children. He is survived by his children Gary, Grace, Karen and Ron (Roxanna) and their children/his grandchildren Geoffrey and Lauren. Harry will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues in the community he proudly served for a lifetime. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7 at 10 am at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum in La Feria Texas. (956) 797-2322. Funeral services will be provided by Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550, (956) 423-3636. Website: www.buckashcraft.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Sharyland ISD Education Foundation, Shimotsu Elementary, 1106 North Shary Road, Mission Texas 78572. Attn: Superintendent Richter. Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Monitor from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for HARRY SHIMOTSU

Not sure what to say?





Ronny Rustad

December 9, 2013

Ronnie, Gary, Roxie and family,
I want you to know how sad and surprised I was to see you Dad's entry here. What a great man! I know he drove you kids to great heights and his legacy is vast and honorable. There is no more suffering now and he is in the "place that God has set aside for him and your Mom". Know that and seek comfort in the warm memories of the good times with your Dad. From the Rustad family to you, I extend my deepest sympathies.
Ronny

Ken Medders, Jr.

December 9, 2013

My sincere condolences to the Shimotsu family - fond memories working with Harry & Kenneth they'll be missed by many.
GOD Bless -

Randy Sakai

December 8, 2013

Our sympathies to the Shimotsu family.

Marie Montalvo

December 6, 2013

He was one of a kind. There is a hole in our hearts that only memories will fill. So long Harry see you later..

Tila Nava

December 6, 2013

My deepest sympathy to the Shimotsu Family I was deeply saddened when I heard of his passing. I had the pleasure of working for and with Harry when I worked at Plantation Produce/Sharyland Farms for 19 years. He was a great man to work for and he had so many funny stories that he enjoyed telling. He will be greatly missed but he is now with the Love of His Life Machi. May God comfort all of you for your loss he was a very Proud Father. I'm sure Harry is in Heaven asking God "Let me ask you a question."

Ken, Jeannie, Leah and Greg Tanaka

December 6, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shimotsu family. May Harry and Machi be at peace now.

Veronica Cantu

December 6, 2013

On behalf of my students and myself, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Shimotsu family. We are proud and honored to live and work at Sharyland Plantation, a place Mr. Shimotsu so greatly influenced. He touched the lives of so many of us with his love, passion for learning, knowledge, and drive for excellence. We will miss him.

December 5, 2013

I was saddened to hear of Harry's passing. He will be missed by all those at Sharyland who knew him. May God hold him in the palm of His hand.
Claude Bobilya

December 5, 2013

May you rest in peace, and the Lord provide comfort to your family. Many fond memories of this great man. The community has lost a great friend.

-Lupe Betancourt Family.

Analu Torres

December 5, 2013

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Harry Shimotsu, I know he was an awesome person, for I work with his son, Dr.Gary Shimotsu. Only a most wonderful father could have such a loving and caring son. My thoughts and prayers for the family...And thank you so much for your service. God speed.

December 5, 2013

My condolences to Mr. Shimotsu's family. I work at the school that bears his name and we are all very sad to hear of his passing. No one here will ever forget his gernerosity and kindness.

December 5, 2013

I wish, I had the litary talent to truely express my feelings abour Harry, for he was a true friend.

God bless his family,
Kenneth Barnes

Randy Kizzia

December 5, 2013

May the Lord comfort his family and friends. As a child, I visited Mr. Shimotsu's farm a few times with my father, Harold Kizzia, when we lived in LaFeria. Dad was in the produce business most all his life and always had good things to say about him. I did not know him well as an adult, but would see him occasionally at Plantation Produce/Sharyland Farms. He had a honorable presence. I am sure he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Dennis Mitchell

December 5, 2013

He was a special client, man, and friend to a 36 yr old, new Farm Bureau Ins. Mgr in 1981. I grew to cherish his and his brother's friendships and council...even appreciated Harry's 5:00 am calls to me when he had an ins. need. To say the least, he was a wonderful experience in my life.

December 4, 2013

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Harry. I first meet him when I was a teenager working for my father's bank, The Harlingen National Bank. I worked with him later when I returned from the Air Force and became a lending officer. He than became an investor in the First National Bank of San Benito, the forerunner of todays First Community Bank. It was a pleasure to have know and worked with such a fine person. He was head of a fine family that carries on his tradition's of honor. I will miss him. My deepest sympathies to all his family and my never ending gratitude to a wonderful man. Bob Dunkin

Larry, Helen, Kayla and Steven Hanawa

December 4, 2013

We will miss Harry dearly. May he rest in peace and join Machi and Kenneth in Heaven

December 4, 2013

The Fasano family offers our condolences. It was an honor and privilege to know Harry, Machi, Kenneth and .


John and Tony Fasano

virginia dumal reeder

December 4, 2013

my deepest sympathy on the passing of your father..my Mother, Verma Dumal, was so fond of both your father and mother, Machi... God now has all of them in His loving arms

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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Memorial Events
for HARRY SHIMOTSU

Dec

7

Memorial service

10:00 a.m.

Restlawn Memorial Park

14166 Business 83, La Feria, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home

710 Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550

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