John Tyler McShan Jr.

John Tyler "JT" McShan passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, at the age of 99 years and 336 days. Born on January 10, 1926, in McShan, Alabama, to the late John Tyler and Jessie Manning McShan, JT embodied the resilience, duty, and adventurous spirit of what Tom Brokaw famously called "The Greatest Generation."
After graduating from Marion Military Institute, JT enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served aboard the battleship USS Pennsylvania in the Western Pacific, participating in key operations against Japan. On August 12, 1945, while anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa-mere days before the war's end-the ship was struck by a Japanese aerial torpedo, causing severe damage. JT survived this late-war attack, one of the final assaults on American forces. In later years, he attended reunions with his shipmates and was likely among the last surviving members of the Pennsylvania's crew of over 2,000.
Following the war, JT returned home and earned a degree in business management from the University of Alabama. He then joined his father as the third-generation leader of the family-owned McShan Lumber Company, a business with roots tracing back over a century in Pickens County. Taking the helm, JT managed every facet of the operation-from timber procurement to manufacturing and sales-with tireless dedication. In 1970, he modernized the mill, replacing the old steam-powered facility with a state-of-the-art operation. Guided by his philosophy of "I love extravagance but I abhor waste," JT focused on efficiency and innovation while fostering deep respect for the people who made the business thrive. He served actively in the Alabama Forestry Association, Southern Forest Products Association, and Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, often calling the lumber industry "the greatest fraternity on earth." Today, McShan Lumber Company continues to prosper under the fourth and fifth generations of the family-a testament to JT's enduring vision.
JT married Bettye Ann Clements of Reform, Alabama, and together they raised four wonderful children over the next decade. Family was his greatest passion, intertwined inseparably with the lumber business.
A man of boundless energy and competitive drive, JT pursued adventure with the same intensity he brought to work. He and Bettye excelled in sailboat racing, competing in Flying Scot regattas across the Southeast, towing their boat behind the family station wagon and filling shelves with hard-won silver trophies. An avid skier, JT was a regular in the early days of Aspen's ski scene-first on the lifts each morning, last down each afternoon, and a colorful fixture at après-ski gatherings in his signature cat-eye Vuarnet sunglasses and corduroy pants (where he delighted in ordering hot spiced wine on the rocks just to baffle the bartender). To prepare for trips, he trained rigorously, circling the backyard in a homemade rig of old boots nailed to 2x4s-a memorable spectacle for his children.
Adventurous to the core, JT's travels took him far beyond Alabama. At age 54, he joined younger friends for a 1,500-mile mountain bike journey through Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain, complete with an unintended overnight stay in a Czechoslovakian prison after straying into a restricted military zone during live-fire exercises. His curiosity about Russia and Eastern Europe led to extensive rail journeys there when travel was uncommon-and often unsafe-for Americans. At 62, he tackled the challenging three-week Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal, the most physically demanding experience of his life, returning with a newfound appreciation for Alabama's lower elevations and thicker air.
Later years shifted toward ocean voyages: JT made annual transatlantic crossings aboard the Sea Dream, with his final trip at age 97 accompanied by his daughters. He also enjoyed river cruises on the Danube, Amazon, and Irrawaddy.
New Orleans held a special place in his heart. JT loved celebrating family milestones there, claiming a seat at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone from open to close-pausing only for meals at Galatoire's. As he often said of the city: "I never wanted to go home when it was time to go home."
Deeply committed to his community, JT played a key role in establishing Pickens Academy, a private school in Carrollton, Alabama, which continues to educate students nearly 55 years later.
Yet JT insisted his true legacy would not be monuments or mills, but his children and the generations that followed. He took immense pride in seeing the family business thrive after 118 years under their stewardship.
Rest in peace, Dad. Your legacy lives on-fulfilled through family, hard work, and a life fully lived.
JT is survived by his children, Melissa McShan Allgood and her husband Richard Grover Allgood of McShan, AL; John Tyler McShan IV and his wife Sally Martin McShan of McShan, AL; Elizabeth "Missy" McShan Budd and her husband Kenneth Kaull Budd of Atlanta, GA; and Hunter Clements McShan and his wife Gina Tyson McShan of Columbus, MS.
JT was adored and admired in countless ways by his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Grover Allgood (Becca) and daughters, Lilla, Emiline, and Kate; John Hunter Allgood (Margo) and daughters, Ellen and Margaret, and son, William Hunter in heaven; Kenny Budd (Kristen) daughter, Ella and sons, Kenny III and Dean; Tyler Allgood Malouf (George) and sons, Trip and Mac; Katie McShan Holmes (Paul) and daughters, Eve and Georgia; Sarah Anne McShan (Margo Mellon); Hunter Budd (Ann Kathryn) and daughter, Bettye; Ty McShan (Alden) and sons, John Martin and Phillips; Mac Budd (Aoife); Holley McShan; Hunter McShan, Jr.; and Stella McShan.
JT's family is grateful for the special care provided by all the loving caregivers at Trinity Place. They all hold a special place in our hearts.
A graveside service for family will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 12:00 noon with a reception following at Melrose at 1:00 p.m. for any who would like to celebrate the life of JT.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mineral Springs Cemetery Fund at 1386 Heritage Road, Ethelsville, AL 35461