Thomas Shinji Gima - better known as "Tommy" by his family and friends - passed away on March 21, 2016 at the age of 91 surrounded by his loving family.

Tommy was born on July 4, 1924 in Haiku, Maui. His parents Makato Yahiko and Shinsei Gima (both deceased) were both born in Japan. He had four brothers, Richard, Warren, Norman, and Gilbert, (all deceased), and two sisters, Ruth Miyashiro (surviving) and Lillian Nakano (deceased). He attended the Benjamin Parker School in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii and the Hawaiian Mission Academy.

In February 1945, he enlisted in the US Army and served in the 442nd INfantry, I Company, Third Battalion where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. In April 1947 he was honorably discharged with the Purple Heart for his service in the Italian Campaign during World War II. He was a member of the 442nd Club, the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii State Business Bureau.

After his service in the US Army, Tommy began stock car auto racing - his first racewas at the race track in Waiau. In 1951 Tommy and some other drivers took their cars to Maui Fairgrounds to introduce organized racing. Tommy began his professional racing career when he was hired to drivw Stock Car #14 in a NASCAR sanctioned race. Tommy began racing stock car #14 in the Hawaii Racing circuit in the islands of Kauai, Maui, and the big island of Hawaii, In 1954 and 1955, Tommy won the title of Territorial Stock Car Auto Racing Champion. In 1955 Tommy was recognized by the Quarterback Club and bestowed the Sports Award for his contributions to stock car auto racing. In 1974 he came out of retirement and raced at Hawaii Raceway Park in Campbell Industrial.

Tommy began working in the field of automotive mechanics and went on to open his own Services Station before entering the trucking business in 1953, opening his business known as, "Tommy Gima Trucking Company". Tommy expanded his trucking company to offer truck repair services until 1983 where he held service contracts with major petroleum companies to maintain their fleets.

In 1953 he married Sally Sumiko (Ajimine) Koki in Honolulu. He is survived by their five (5) children, Sandra, Cindy, Roxanne, Corey, and Karen "Tammy", eleven (11) grandchildren: Lavern, Amy, Kristy, Alden, Sommer, Thomas, Keith Jr., Corey Jr., Kyle, Candice, and Nicole; and eight (8) great grandchildren: Khalil, Jessica, Ray Jr., Makenzie, Paige, Ryan, Gabriel, and Dante.

Tommy's Celebration of Life services will be held at the Kalihi Union Church on Tuesday April 19, 2016. Visitations will begin at 5:00 p.m. with services beginning at 6:00 p.m. Reception to follow. The family has requested that casual attire be worn.

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