Roland Littleton Shorter, Jr.

Roland Littleton Shorter Jr., 90, of Vallejo, California, passed on August 16, 2026. He was surrounded by loved ones who cared for him since he was discharged to home Hospice in January 2026. He was born on September 10, 1935, in Richmond, Virginia, and was the eldest surviving child of Roland L. Shorter Sr. and Maxine Beatrice Elizabeth Miles. In 1941, he was sent to live with his great-aunt Harriet Miles Williams in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he attended public elementary, junior high, and high school; and, attended Sunday school and worship services regularly at St. Matthews African Methodist Episcopal Church. In late 1951, Roland returned to live with his mother in Richmond, Virginia, and completed high school while working full-time at the University of Virginia Hospital in Richmond. After graduating, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. While stationed in Japan, he met and married Yasuko H. Shorter and together they built a life filled with love, adventure, and community. Following 20 years of military service, he moved to San Francisco, CA, and two years later relocated the family to Vallejo, CA. He held various jobs including Federal civil service positions in San Francisco and Mare Island Naval Shipyard, CA, and as a Bay Area Rapid Transit System train operator until he retired for the third and final time in 2009. While employed full time, he attended Solano Community College, Fairfield, CA, in the evenings and obtained an Associate Degree in Science Industrial Management - Safety and Public Administration and completed a Shipbuilding Apprenticeship. Years ago, Roland converted to Catholicism and he was a member of St. Basil the Great Catholic Church. Faith and service were a quiet but steady part of his life. He was a devoted husband and dedicated family man who loved to travel, had a passion for food and a knack for cooking, was often found in front of his laptop reading or gaming, enjoyed getting behind the wheel and going on drives, was a model train enthusiast, supported various charities and causes, and served as well as held elected and appointed positions in several fraternal and military service organizations. Roland remained resilient, independent, and the primary caretaker for the love of his life, Yasuko, until he became unable to because of his declining health. In addition to his parents, Roland was predeceased by his brother, James E. Shorter. He leaves to cherish loving memories his wife, Yasuko Shorter; five children, Masako Ellis; Yvonne Brooks (Wentrell Kevin), Roland Shorter III, Patrick Shorter, and Jonathan Shorter (Wendy); 11 grandchildren, Reigh Ellis Jr., Marié Ellis, Marcus Ellis (Susie), Soniesha Ellis, Sara Shorter, Alivia Shorter (Keith), Roland Shorter IV, Jontasia Shorter (Eric), Jonathan Shorter II (Rogenda), Saréya Shorter, Elias Shorter; and 18 great grandchildren, Adrian Ellis Blackiston, Armani Ellis Blackiston, Yemaya Ellis Featherstone, Robert Adams IV, Maya Ellis-Park, Monroe Delia, Nova Delia, Delilah Henderickson, Francis Riku Dacasin, Kaiholo Dacasin, Jonathan Shorter III, Jonéda Shorter, Jiro Shorter, Jumika Shorter, Tamia Shorter, Sofia Shorter, Elias Shorter II, and Amari Shorter. The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who supported Roland during his final months – especially the exceptional Kaiser Permanente Hospice staff who provided comfort, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support to Roland and his family; the home health aides who provided self-care and respite; friends and neighbors whose calls and visits lifted his spirit; and, the Eucharistic minister who distributed Holy Communion on Sundays. Friends and family are welcome to attend the viewing on August 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo, CA 94590; the funeral mass on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 1200 Tuolumne St, Vallejo, CA 94590; committal service at 1:30 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620; and, the repast at 4:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, CA 94591. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

Roland Littleton Shorter, Jr.

September 10, 1935 - August 16, 2026