John Floyd Shettlesworth, Jr., known as "John, Jr." by his aunts, uncles, and cousins, "Johnny" by his co-workers and friends, "John" by those who came to know him late in life, "Dad" or "Daddy" by his children, and "Granddaddy" or "Granddad" by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, left his earthly home on March 4, 2014.
John was born on July 15, 1921, in Dallas, TX, to John Floyd Shettlesworth, Sr., and Mettie Sue Knight Shettlesworth. He graduated from high school in Hebronville, TX, and spent some time at Kilgore Junior College prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army. While serving in the Army during WWII, John also attended the University of Maine when he was stationed there. Although he never earned a college degree, he let it be known that he expected his children to do so...and they did!
On December 19, 1942, John married Dorothy (Dot) Jean Burns, who preceded him in death on May 31, 1944, along with their infant son John Gary Shettlesworth.
On February 13, 1945, John married Emily Louise Smith, who preceded him in death on November 4, 2007, after 62 years of marriage.
John was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Leon Harris.
After his discharge from the Army, John worked for Sun Oil Company until he retired in 1984. He and his family lived in McAllen, Sun Field, Odessa, and Levelland, Texas, during the years he worked for Sun Oil. About fifteen years into retirement John and Emily became nomads, first moving to Albuquerque, NM, for three years, then to Huntsville, TX, for about five years. In late 2006, they moved to Abilene, TX, where John continued to live after Emily passed away, until March 2013. He then moved to San Angelo, TX, and resided in the Bee Hive Homes of San Angelo until his death.
John didn't always work for Sun Oil Company. He recalled fondly his days as a soda jerk at the drugstore in Bruni, TX, his days working at a barbeque stand in Kilgore, TX, and his days as an usher in the Majestic Theater in Dallas. It seems he always had a job of some kind as soon as he was old enough to get one.
Throughout his life, John was proud of his association with the Masonic Lodge. He was honored last year for being a 60-year member of the Lodge. He was also proud of his service to his community, serving as a city councilman in Levelland for several years.
John is survived by his daughter Janet and husband Stanley Moore of San Angelo, TX, his son Ron and wife Mary Ellen Shettlesworth of Albuquerque, NM, granddaughter Brooke and husband Daryl Weldon of San Angelo, TX, grandson Michael Moore of Austin, TX, grandson Kyle and wife Bea Moore of Hurst, TX, grandson Ryan and wife Amanda Shettlesworth of Bloomington, IN, grandson Alan and wife Lindsay Shettlesworth of Albuquerque, NM, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Jane Harris of Greenville, TX, brother-in-law Ellie and wife Lydia Smith of Houston, and brother-in-law Barney and wife Joan Smith of Bowling Green, OH.
John will be laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, TX, at 2:00 p.m on Saturday, March 8, with graveside rites being performed by his son Ron Shettlesworth and grandsons Ryan and Alan Shettlesworth. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home of San Angelo, Texas and Lloyd-James Funeral Home of Tyler, Texas.
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