Kenji Shido

Kenji Shido, (age 74), of Torrance CA passed away on December 31st 2023 and was born to his parents Saneyuki and Yoshie Shido, on December 11th 1949, and was the youngest of five siblings. He is survived by his sisters, Keiko, Yoshiko, Kyoko, Noriko and preceded in death by his older brother Tsutomu.

Kenji was born and grew up in Japan and had a fondness and talent for music. He enjoyed the guitar, piano, violin and played in a Rock’n Roll band in his adolescent years. He worked with his older brother as a pipe fitter, and there developed a lifelong passion for construction.

Kenji married an American woman named Lanette in 1970 and had his first son Chris in 1972. shortly after the family left Japan for the USA ,and with his wife and son, Kenji settled down in a small house in Granada Hills CA where he began an apprenticeship as a plumber with Lucas Plumbing. The owner quickly took a liking to Kenji and to his work ethic and dedication to providing for his young family, which grew with the addition of his second son, Carl in 1977.

 Kenji quickly conquered the challenges of moving to a new country and learning a new language and culture, and over the next few decades went from an apprentice, to a journeyman for the City of Los Angeles, to business owner, starting his own company “SK Plumbing” and thereby completing the cycle of kindness shown to him many years before by employing, training and befriending many employees, including his two sons, Chris and Carl. 

In the End, Kenji was a mentor, friend and provider for many. He enjoyed golf, fishing, singing, playing music and walking his dog(s) BoBo, Sally and later, Kenta. But even on his time off he found it difficult to relax, creating projects around his house and helping friends and family with home improvements. Mostly he loved to work with his hands, but he also Loved animals, nature and adventure, and even drove his RV to Alaska and back on one of his many family trips.

Kenji was loved by many and will be greatly missed and is also survived by his life partner Noriko and her daughter Sachiko, his sons Chris and Carl and his grand children Nickolas, Carl jr., Samantha, Marie and his “yet to be named” great grand daughter who will arrive March 2024.

The Family of Kenji Shido will be hosting funeral services on Saturday, February 17th 2024 at Reardon Simi Valley Funeral Home located at 2636 Sycamore Dr. Simi Valley, CA 93065 starting at 10am followed by a Celebration of Life and Reception, kindly hosted by his old friend, family member and fellow patriarch nearby. Details of the reception will be provided at the service.