Jacob DeShazer serves in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and is part of the Doolittle Raid on Japan in 1942. He is captured by the Japanese and spends the rest of the war as a POW. While in prison, Jacob receives a Bible and is touched by the message of God’s love and forgiveness. He has a conversion experience and decides that if he survives the war, he will return to Japan and spread this message to the nation that imprisoned him. After the war, Jacob goes to Seattle Pacific College for missionary training. While there, he meets Florence Matheny. The two are married in 1946 and go to Japan as missionaries in 1948. They remain in Japan (apart from several short periods of furlough in the United States) from 1949 until 1977, spreading the Gospel message of love and forgiveness, planting churches, and raising their family of three sons and two daughters. After retiring in 1977, the DeShazers return to the United States. Jacob dies in 2008, and Florence in 2017.
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U.S. Air Force Oral History Interview: Rev. Jacob D. DeShazer
James C. Hasdorff and Jacob DeShazer
Transcript of an oral interview (including editorial notes and additions) between Jacob DeShazer and Dr. James C. Hasdorff. The interview includes Jacob's family background, time in the Army Air Corps, the Doolittle Raid, imprisonment in Japan, release from prison, time at Seattle Pacific College, and missionary work in Japan.
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Flight Into Eternity
Clint Kelly
Article from the Spring 2004 issue of Seattle Pacific University's alumni magazine Response, telling Jacob and Florence's story from World War II, to their mission work in Japan, to their activities after retirement.
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In Tribute of Rev. Jacob DeShazer
Art Brown
Tribute article written by Dr. Art Brown, head of Free Methodist World Missions, describing Jacob's missionary work in Japan.
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Famed Doolittle Raider, Graduate of SPC, Dies at the age of 95
Doug Taylor
Brief obituary of Jacob DeShazer written by Doug Taylor, Seattle Pacific University Director of Alumni and Parent Relations.
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Memorial Service Program for Jacob DeShazer
Salem First Free Methodist Church
Program for Memorial Service celebrating the life of Jacob DeShazer. Included also are the words and music for the hynm "I'd Rather Have Jesus" and some quotes from Jacob.
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Direct Connection: Remembering Jacob DeShazer
Art Brown and K. Lavern Snider
Remarks given by fellow Free Methodist missionary K. Lavern Snider about Jacob DeShazer's missionary work in Japan.
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Letter circa March 31, 2008
Iwao Shimada
Letter of condolence from Reverend Iwao Shimada, pastor of the Kagura-cho Free Methodist Church (formerly the Nishinomiya Free Methodist Church), to Florence DeShazer on Jacob's death.
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Letter March 31, 2008
Philip W. Eaton
Letter of condolence from Dr. Philip W. Eaton, president of Seattle Pacific University, to Florence DeShazer on Jacob's death.
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Epilogue
Florence DeShazer
A brief account by Florence DeShazer of her and Jacob's activities from their retirement to Jacob's death.
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Life Story of Florence DeShazer
Carol Aiko DeShazer Dixon
Biographical sketch of Florence DeShazer written by her daugher Carol Aiko in 2017.
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In Tribute, Florence DeShazer August 9, 1921 - July 5, 2017
Gerry Coates
Tribute article written by Reverend Gerry Coates, director of Global Church Advocacy, Free Methodist World Missions, describing Florence's missionary work in Japan.
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Memorial Service Program for Florence DeShazer, Salem, OR
Salem Free Methodist Church
Program for Memorial Service in Salem, Oregon, celebrating the life of Florence DeShazer.
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Memorial Service Program for Florence DeShazer, Shoreline, WA
Shoreline Free Methodist Church
Program for Memorial Service in Shoreline, Washington, celebrating the life of Florence DeShazer.
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DeShazer Bibliography
Seattle Pacific University
A bibliography of published materials on Jacob and Florence DeShazer and their story. Compiled in 2022.
