Herman Shoate

1947 ~ 2023

Date of Death: February 18, 2023

In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Shoate family. Herman’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mr. Herman Shoate.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

Herman Shoate was born November 22, 1947, to Roy and Annie Mae Shoate in Poteau, Oklahoma. He departed this life, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the age of 75 years old from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Our DADDY was called home to take his eternal rest in the heavenly realm. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters: Patricia Adams and Ann Howard, and one of his granddaughters: Olivia DaVince Vaughn Perez.

Our DADDY accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age. When we were small children, we remember him serving as an usher in the church. Our Daddy was loved by so many, and yet he was often doing things alone or spending time with his sister, and her children, and at least once a week, you would catch him at his favorite eating spot: Golden Corral.

Our DADDY was an athlete, hunter, fisher, and all-around amazing soul on this earth. His love of animals was fueled by his working at a veterinarian clinic in Poteau, Oklahoma when he was young. He loved sports, keeping his yard immaculate, talking noise, and making people laugh.

Our DADDY was a son, uncle, brother, friend, husband, and a father.

Our DADDY was an outdoors person with a green thumb who planted Saint Augustine grass one blade at a time. Growing up, we were blessed with the most beautiful Azalea's in town because our DADDY made sure our yard was beautiful. Growing up, we always had fresh vegetables, and wild game to eat. Oh, and sometimes, he would bring the game to the house. We had rabbits, and even a baby doe, one time. He also had two bows and a deer stand. You see where we are going with that. Yes, that was OUR DADDY.

Our DADDY was also a community man. He loved coaching us in basketball and track. He worked with us on and off the court/field and made sure that if we participated in a sport, we finished it all the way. He did not take no for an answer and quitting was not a word. He coached youth basketball and football at both Jeffery’s and Stephens Boys clubs. Our love of sports and the great outdoors comes from our DADDY.

Our DADDY knew his history and made sure we knew it too. He made sure we knew who we were as little Black girls. He taught us about the civil rights movement. From his membership in the Black Panther party, to being a decorated soldier and a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Our DADDY ensured that we were educated, well informed, and proud to be Black.

Our DADDY loved baseball too. He played baseball in the Army, on the men's team at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park up until he got injured during one of the games. A few more tidbits about our DADDY: he retired from Whirlpool Corporation, threw newspapers for the Southwest Times Record, loved the Kansas City Chiefs, could not stand the Cowboys, loved collecting trading cards, and rare coins, and made a nick name for all of us. Folks called him SHOATE. His nieces and nephews called him UNC. His seven grandchildren called him Papa, and we called him DADDY. As you can see, Our DADDY was everything to us. He was also everything to his nieces and nephews, and in our absence, we are so thankful for the love and care they had for their UNCLE, our DADDY. He will truly be missed by all who loved and appreciated him throughout his life.

OUR DADDY, Herman Shoate, will be missed by us, his daughters: Genine LaTrice Perez (Little Rock, AR) and Tamika Janel Shoate (Tulsa, OK); his surviving siblings: Charlene Robinson, and Paul Shoate; his grandchildren, Emmanuel (Eva) Perez, Micah Jarel Griffen, Terrell Shamond Shoate-Hardwick, Sophia LaTrice Vaugn Perez-Santos, Caleb Marrell Shoate-Hardwick, and Isabella Lee Vaughn Porch and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Graveside service will be held Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Smith National Cemetery 522 Garland Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.