John Shackelford

1940 - 2025

Before he passed, Shack wrote the following obituary to be used after he was gone:
"You are reading in the newspaper that I am dead. Do not believe a word of it, for I am more alive than ever before." I borrowed this quote from the great evangelists, D.L. Moody and Frank Beynon, because I couldn't think of a better way to give such good news.
I am now with my Savior, I am now in my real home. The body that I have no more use for is dead and will be put in the ground, but I can assure you that I am not there. If you want to shed tears, make them tears of joy that I have been relieved from all my pain, and I am rejoicing in heaven. Remember that I am with my Lord, and have joined all that have gone before.
I was born in Memphis, Texas to Clarence Shackelford and Mildred Holcomb. I am now with my parents and my brother Dave, and we will be together for all eternity! When you read this, I will have taken my last breath here on earth, and the next in heaven. Many of you, I will see again, some I won't and that is the saddest thing in the world to me. God has made provision that none should perish. That provision was the sacrifice of His Son. You are all too valuable and cost Him too dearly not to receive that gift. And it is a gift. There is no way we can earn our way into heaven, buy our way, or work our way. The only way is to accept Jesus Christ into your heart. The most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16. Most of us learned it when we were children in Vacation Bible School. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life." Please let that verse speak to your heart and receive that gift of salvation so we will meet again.
Sincerely yours, John Shackelford.
Shack is survived by his "Soul Mate", Ginny Braden; His children: Jon Blair and wife Shawn; Suzi Bobbitt and husband Greg; Julie Cox and husband Stephen; Sam Shackelford and wife Jill. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren (and counting!); His brother, Tommy Shackelford and wife Linda.
Services will be held at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas, on Friday, September 5th, beginning at 3:00 p.m.