Memorial Service Information:

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Share Your Thoughts – Memories and Photos

This is the time for us to express ourselves. In order to get through this, we must do it together. Please share your memories and thoughts of Col George Ishikata. This information will be placed in a public forum to be shared with family and friends.

Remembrance – Tribute by Civil Air Patrol

Leader, Mentor, Teacher, and Friend. Your tribute gift is a remembrance and chance to support his lifelong passion of supporting cadets. Gifts made will support the National Cadet Officer School (COS) and Region Cadet Leadership School (RCLS).

Obituary – Col George K. Ishikata:

George was born February 22, 1962, in Chicago, IL and grew up in San Francisco, CA. He attended Lowell High School, graduated San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications studies, and later earned a master’s degree in military arts and sciences from the Army Command and General Staff College. George spent his career in the California Army National Guard and US Army as a Military Intelligence officer, both in the National Guard and in key positions in Washington DC and overseas. Upon retiring from the Army, George started a second career as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco, and later assumed the role of Director of Army Instruction for the San Francisco JROTC Brigade.

George married Albulena Demiri in 2010 in Kosovo. Although they had no children, he adored his nephew and niece, Leo and Alena, and sister-in-law Linda.

George joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in 1977 at Lowell High School. As a cadet he participated in the winning competitive Drill Platoon, spending many hours in after-school drill practice. He rose in leadership ranks to serve as a Company Commander in Lowell’s battalion. George stayed on at Lowell for several years, serving as an Assistant Instructor to his mentor, Sergeant Major Mack Yoshida.

George joined Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in 1977, and it soon became a focal point of his life. As a member of San Francisco Cadet Squadron 86 (Excellence in Action), he achieved meaningful leadership roles in the Cadet Advisory Council and as Commander of California Wing’s Cadet Training Group. As an adult leader in Civil Air Patrol, George was an esteemed member of the National Cadet Team and proudly served as the Commander of Pacific Region. He led California Wing’s Cadet Officer Basic Course for over twenty years, mentoring over a thousand cadet officers as they explored their own leadership identities. George served as an instructor at CAP’s Cadet Officer School and escorted cadets to Australia on the International Air Cadet Exchange.

George commissioned into the California Army National Guard as a Military Police officer

in 1985. He served in the 49th Military Police Brigade, 100th Troop Command and 40th Infantry Division, and commanded the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist). George deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo, with his final duty at the Pentagon, retiring in 2015.

As a leader in the San Francisco JROTC community, George did much more than mentor cadets. He fought continually to keep JROTC in San Francisco high schools, and worked tirelessly to improve the experience cadets received at activities. He worked with the veteran community and with San Francisco politicians to both enhance the JROTC program and ensure its survival.

His accomplishments are numerous, including being the recipient of two Defense Superior

Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal, as well as five Meritorious Service Medals. Other military honors include the Federal Asian/Pacific American Council Meritorious Service Award, which he received in 2006.

George passed away of natural causes on December 30, 2021, in San Francisco, CA.George is survived by his wife Lena, brother Chik, and many dear friends. He left a legacy among JROTC and CAP cadets who will continue to develop their own leadership identities and live up to the values George set of service, loyalty, and integrity.

Shared Memories – Tribute from Friends and Family

Take time to read the memories of Col Ishikata below. For more pictures, click Read More. 

James Welliver – Civil Air Patrol

Was a good friend and confidant.
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Matt Giles – Civil Air Patrol

I had the pleasure of attending COBC as a cadet with George as the commandant. He was always smiling. While having lunch with him during the course, he had this amazing way of diving into leadership things and leading you to the answers all while making you think you arrived to those answers on your own accord. He was great at dropping some knowledge and walking away leaving you alone for the light bulb to turn on after he left. I moved away to join the Air Force so I didn’t get to work with him as a senior member. I wish I had the opportunity. Miss him dearly
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Nicholas Rusanoff – San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission

I remember how George supported the veterans preference in the BMR housing legislation. We brought it to the Commission’s attention a year ago when I met George. He was a very inspirational leader and was very supportive. I really appreciate his leadership in every board meeting being the referee.
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Lt Col Robert (Bob) Becka – Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol Director of Safety

Unfortunately I never got to meet Col Ishikata in person but from what I saw he was leading us in the right direction.
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Colin Rodriguez – Civil Air Patrol

My favorite part about COBC was listening to George every night. I will miss hearing the Giving Tree read to us by him.
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Grace Edinboro – CAP, Lowell HS, Life

Grace Edinboro – CAP, Lowell HS, Life

Too many to think about. George was my best friend, the person I could share anything with, and someone I could count on (as was I to him). We met in high school, got to know each other in CAP (Squadron 86, Excellence in Action), experienced encampment and COBC and so many cadet activities. After retirement, we got back involved in Squadron 86, and were able to get together and just hang out. I don’t know what life will be like without George, but will have to find out. Enjoy finally getting a long night’s sleep, George. Lovely memories of pre-encampment- in-processing, geography square, and going to the end of the line.
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Sam Hua – Student

My name is Samantha, Colonel called me Sammi. Up until this point I hadn’t given it much thought but Sammi is a name for me that’s reserved for my family. Since I considered him family, I never gave it a second thought once he started calling me that. Colonel always made sure to come out and support me if I performed in a talent show or anything and always made sure I knew I had done well or was talented. His patience for the kids was unmatched and you’d never catch him without a smile. I’m thankful everyday I got the chance to learn from him and know him. I feel honored to be his first full class in high school and I feel that he really saw me grow. He was a major factor in my character development in high school and I’ll carry him with me in everything I do. Thank you Colonel, you’ll be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
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COL (CA) Bill Tubbs (bugler) – California State Guard

Known to me only by a common friend who extolled George’s wonderful character.
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Yejin Lee – Lowell High School JROTC

I first met Colonel Ishikata at the Academic Bowl competition in July 2021. The first few minutes talking to him all my anxieties from the completion melted away and his kindness and gentleness comforted me. The next day he came along with us to explore D.C. with us. I remember he bought us a TEN dollar balloon just because we said it was cool. I will always appreciate his kindness, thoughtfulness, and calmness.
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Katelyn Luo – Lowell High School

I personally didn’t know Colonel Ishikata very well but I do know that he made a very big impact on the people around him especially those in JROTC and will be always be remembered by his students, friends, and family as someone you could always rely on.
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Cameron Chan – JROTC

My first year at camp parks I needed medicine he went out of his way and beyond to get me the medicine I needed.
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Alexandre Barahona Ventura – Lowell High School

I never knew him personally, but he was a huge help to Lowell’s JROTC program. Thank you!
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Winnie Mai – School

Buying dim sum for him and having brunch.
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Hanley Chan – San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission and Onevet Onevoice

Hanley Chan – San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission and Onevet Onevoice

He is a friend and colleague and will not be forgotten. I will fight the fight for JROTC that I will promise under your name.
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Nestor Tom – VFW Post 4618

Volunteer to be the lead Judge for the Veterans Day Parade 2021!
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Kiera Stauber – JROTC

He was a kind and supporting mentor. You could find him cracking jokes when cadets were under pressure and always bring a smile to their faces.
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Justin Li – JROTC

Always kind to others, although he looked at me funny sometimes.
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Joshua Huynh – SF JROTC Brigade Staff

He always thought i was the BDE CSM when I’m the XO!
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Ahsha Safai – Board Member – San Francisco Board of Supervisors

George was such a champion for young people and cared about offering them a channel for discipline structure, and personally well-being in their lives through JROTC. He will be missed. His manner and style was calming.
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Hunter Padilla – JROTC Lincoln alumni

Being in Lincoln JROTC and seeing his great smile every time he walks into the room or being super humble every where I see him. Every time I talk to him, he always says “hey hunter, how are you?” I’ll miss everything about you colonel and I’ll miss our great laughs and you are very supportive no Matter what. Never forget! A great mentor, friend, and you created a huge mustang family!
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