Mr. Joseph Michael Shook

Joseph Michael Shook age 79, of LaFayette, Georgia, entered his eternal home of heaven on December 16, 2025. Mike Shook was a man with many life pursuits, but at the core of himself, he was a farmer. This farmer's heart held a deep faith in a higher power, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a resilient spirit to endure the challenges of all uncertain seasons. He was born in Chickamauga, Georgia, in 1946 to Mary Belle Hughes Shook and Joseph William "Bud" Shook, who tied their son's heart to the soil and motivated his love for the land. Knowing that he would one day take over the family farm, Mike developed an interest in various agricultural outlets, such as 4-H and FFA, during his time in middle school and at Chattanooga Valley High School. Upon graduation from high school, Mike attended his first two years of college in Tifton, Georgia at ABAC (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College) and then transferred to and graduated from the University of Georgia with his degree in Agriculture. He left UGA in June of 1968 and started working with the Federal Land Bank in Columbia, SC, as a field representative for the Federal Land Bank Associations of South Carolina. This is where he met his lifelong love, Alona Beckham Shook, and they were engaged in September 1968. In January 1969, Mike enlisted in the United States Army and departed for his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon completion, he came home and was married in June of 1969. He was then stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he proudly served with the First Air Cavalry Division. While attending Officer Candidate School, his advanced training led him to become a Forward Observer at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. His orders were received in February of 1970 to leave for Vietnam, and he returned on Thanksgiving Day, November 1970. Throughout Mike's life, many vocations came and went, but his family was his rooted ground. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Alona Beckham Shook; daughter and son-in-law, Melanie (Eric) Brown of Carroll County, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan (LeAnne) Shook of Chickamauga, Georgia; granddaughters and treasures of his heart, Cassidy Brown and Cailee Grace Shook. The family will receive friends Sunday – December 21, 2025 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm – Monday – December 22, 2025 graveside at Chattanooga Veterans National Cemetery with Pastor Rich Huff officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Operation Heal Our Patriots, A Project of Samaritan's Purse. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes - Chickamauga Chapel. Online register book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com