Terrence James "Terry" Shackelton

Terrence "Terry" James Shackelton, born October 8, 1939, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 85 years old.
The only child of Alice Pailing and John Shackelton, Terry was raised on a dairy farm in Arena, Wisconsin, where he learned the values of hard work, faith, honesty, and integrity-principles that guided him throughout his life. A story from his childhood speaks to this character: in 1944, young Terry placed a $5 bill into the collection plate at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Missionary Church. When an usher later approached his grandmother, Katie, to confirm the generous donation, she discovered Terry had taken the money from her purse earlier in the week, intending all along to give it to the church on Sunday. Though he learned a valuable lesson in honesty that day, his deep commitment to his faith and service was evident even then.
Terry attended a one-room schoolhouse for grades 1 through 8 and graduated from Arena High School at just 16 years old in 1956. He began studying Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison but felt a strong sense of duty and left college to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. His time in the Marines instilled in him a lifelong sense of discipline and leadership.
After his military service, Terry built a successful career in retail, working for companies across the country, including Roses Department Stores in Henderson, NC, and Howards in Monroe, LA. He began as a young salesman at a Madison shoe store and ultimately became President of InterPacific Corporation, an import company based in Los Angeles, where he worked until his retirement in 2010.
In 1966, while working in Denver, Colorado, Terry met the love of his life, Mary Kathleen McLaughlin. They married on May 6, 1967, and shared 41 wonderful years together until Mary's passing on February 23, 2009. In their later years, Terry and Mary made their home in Wake Forest, North Carolina, to be closer to their children and grandchildren, with Terry commuting cross-country until his retirement.
Following retirement, Terry remained in Wake Forest, dedicating his time to family and service. He was a tireless volunteer with the USO from 2012 until the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, assisting at the USO Club, delivering supplies, and providing transportation for military personnel across North Carolina. He also gave six years of service to the Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Charities, serving as Chair of the Board in his final year. Additionally, he was an active member of several organizations, including the Knights of Columbus St. Catherine of Siena Council #11234 (3rd Degree, Treasurer), the Knights of Columbus Fr. John G. Parish Assembly #3510 (4th Degree), the Marine Corps League Air, Land NC Detachment #1257, and the Jesse O. Price Pound #210 of the Military Order of the Devil Dog.
Terry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Kathleen McLaughlin Shackelton; his parents, Alice Pailing Shackelton Lauber and John Shackelton; and his stepfather, Arnold Lauber. He is survived by his three children: Randy Shackelton (Betty) of Wake Forest, NC; Peggy Lane of Morrisville, NC; and Amy Umnus (Dave) of Raleigh, NC. He was a proud grandfather to Tyler, Brandon, Trey, Thomas, Brett, and Alyssa; and a cherished step-grandfather to Patrick Rosado (Yara) and step-great-grandfather to Nathanael. His legacy of love, integrity, and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 5-7 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Wake Forest, NC on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2 PM, with interment to follow at St. James Catholic Church in Henderson, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Charities: Nourishing Our Neighbors initiative or the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Shackelton family.