Eugene Y. ‘Gene’ Shoji passed away July 11 in Coos Bay, with his wife, Crystal, and son, Christopher, by his side.

Gene Shoji was born May 3, 1941, in Oregon, prior to the entry of the United States into World War II.

Gene was placed in the Minidoka, Idaho, Japanese internment camp with his parents and other Japanese-Americans. His preschool years were spent in the camp. When the family was released, they came back to Oregon, where Gene spent the rest of his life. He attended elementary school in Nyssa and graduated from Burns Union High school in 1959. Gene graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s in business education and a master of business education.

Gene started his first teaching position in Prineville. While teaching and coaching, he met Crystal Roghair, and they married in December 1970 in McMinnville.

Gene is survived by Crystal, his wife of 48 years; son, Christopher Shoji; brother, James, and wife; and many other relatives.