Harry Louis Shackelford

Harry Louis Shackelford, Jr., died on Sunday, November 24, at his home in Alexandria, VA. He was 72. Harry was a 1965 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. Harry proudly served in the Navy for more than 20 years, and in the 1980s he served on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC after decades in posts across the nation.

During his career in the Navy, Harry met his first wife Brenda Logan Shackelford, who died in 2000. Harry later fell in love with and married Karen McGinn, who survives him.

Harry attended flight training in Pensacola, FL and earned his wings in 1966. He began his flight career piloting S-2 Grumman Trackers as part of the VS-28 “Gamblers” carrier anti-submarine squadron based in Quonset Point, RI.

He became a flight instructor at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX and later served aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid as the Air Wing Landing Signal Officer. In the 1970s Harry served as the Officer in Charge of the Training Support Unit for the fleet’s transition to the Lockheed S-3A Viking at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL. He retired from the Navy in 1986 having achieved the rank of Commander.

After his retirement from the Navy, Harry had a successful career in the defense contracting industry eventually retiring in 2011 as vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Information Technology’s (GDIT) Worldwide Technology Solutions Sector. He was a leader in the development of new and creative training techniques for military applications and managed a large organization that included foreign sales operations, information technology and aviation engineering. Harry finished his work in the defense industry as the vice president of operations for Rollout Systems LLC.

He was born October 31, 1941 in Wilson, NC, and grew up on his family’s farm in Greene County, NC. Harry was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins and University of North Carolina Tar Heels, as well as Navy’s athletic program. He enjoyed spending time at his beach house in Atlantic Beach, NC, and woodworking in his garage at home.

Harry was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria, and was well known for his skillful preparation of Eastern North Carolina style barbecue at the annual church fundraiser. He was also a longtime member of the Ft. Hunt Sportsmen’s Association, a group that raises funds to support youth sports in the Mt. Vernon area of Fairfax County.

Harry spent his final year battling leukemia with the same dignity and humor that he demonstrated throughout his life, and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by:

His wife Karen and her three children: Erin Corle, husband Peter, and sons Ryan, Justin and Kevin, Eric Campbell and wife Shanna, and Corinne Turner, husband Paul, and daughter Hailey.

His daughter Tiffany Shackelford and her husband Aaron Castelo, and a grandson, Samuel Louis Castelo.

His sister Sarah Ohs and her husband Don, nephew Jason Ohs and his wife Jennifer, and niece Donna Ohs Nelson and husband Greg.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry Shackelford and Mary Foy (Peterson) Shackelford.

Visitation will be Monday Dec. 2 from 5 - 9 PM at St Luke’s in Alexandria, VA. A memorial service will be Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 10 AM, also to be held in St. Luke’s. Memorial gifts in Harry’s name may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8009 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22308.