Herbert "Herb" Ryoso Hamaoka

A graveside service celebrating the life of Herbert “Herb” Ryoso Hamaoka, 89, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City, Louisiana. The family will be receiving family and friends at 2:30 p.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Tim Robinson and Reverend Robert Davis.

Herb was born April 6, 1933, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Ichigoro Hamaoka and Tome Okumura and went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, in Bossier City, Louisiana.   

Herb enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and flew as a radio operator on a B-29 bomber while stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. He later flew on KC-97 tankers, an assignment that brought him to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Upon discharge, God blessed Herb with a wonderful Christian wife, Geraldine “Gerrye” Bishop, who was instrumental in his becoming a Christian. Gerrye went home to be with the Lord after their 35th wedding anniversary. God blessed Herb again with another wonderful Christian wife, Gloria Ann Smith, who helped Herb continue his walk with the Lord over the next 25 years.  Herb was active in the church families at Cherokee Park Baptist Church, Northwoods Baptist Church, and Airline Baptist Church and served as an ordained Deacon.  For 35 years of his life, Herb worked at Beaird Industries, becoming a senior project engineer and receiving the Key Employee Award in 1993. In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and traveling. He loved serving as a Willis Knighton Hospice volunteer, where he was awarded the Willis Knighton Hospice of the Year Award in 2005.

Herb is preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Bishop Hamaoka; parents; a brother; three sisters; and son, Sami Flagler. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Gloria Ann Hamaoka; sons, Kyle Hamaoka and wife, Vicki, Keith Smith and wife, Becky; daughters, Carol Ann Stuckey and husband, Chuck, Janine Clagg and husband John; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made to Airline Baptist Church, 4007 Airline Dr, Bossier City, LA 71111, or a charity of your choosing.