John Warren Shocklee

Born in Corsicana, Texas on January 13, 1932, he is preceded in death by his parents, David Uvell and Maude Alice (Kirkpatrick) Shocklee.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley; sons: John Mark Shocklee, David Shocklee and wife Becky, and Brian Shocklee and wife Michelle; three grandsons, Taylor, Austin, and Jacob Shocklee. John was a big man with a big heart and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

John married Shirley Ann Statzer on September 6, 1958. They raised their family in the Odessa and Dallas areas until 1971 when they moved to Richmond, Virginia. A Texan at heart, John moved the family back to Texas in 1980, residing in Austin.

John served in the United State Marine Corp from 1951 to 1954. Upon leaving the service, he attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, beginning a long and rewarding career in the funeral service. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Southern Nazarene University in 1964 and his Master’s in Education from Virginia State College in 1975, with additional graduate work at Virginia Tech from 1976-77. John’s compassionate heart and caring spirit were evident in his work at various funeral homes in Odessa, Carrollton, Corsicana, and Austin, Texas. In 1964 to 1969 he served as an Instructor at the Dallas Institute, later becoming the Dean of Students from 1969 to 1971. In 1971, John accepted the position of Program Head of Mortuary Science at John Tyler Community College in Chester, Virginia. In 1980, John returned to Texas to serve as the Executive Director for the State Board of Morticians until 1986. Other accomplishments include serving on the Curriculum Committee and the Accreditation Committee for the American Board of Funeral Service. He received the Texas Funeral Directors Association Fifty Year Award in 2012.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 3 to 5 PM at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, TX. Funeral service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 10 AM at Georgetown Church of the Nazarene, 4051 E. University Avenue, Georgetown, TX. Burial will take place from 3 to 4 PM in Dallas, TX at Laurel Land Cemetery.