John Wesley Shell

John was born in Washington Parish in Louisiana, on August 13, 1923, the fifth child of William and Effie Shell, and was a freshman at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge when the United States entered World War II. As a member of the U.S. Army’s 99th Infantry Division, he engaged in heavy fighting throughout Europe, most notably in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Following the war, John returned to LSU and graduated in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He met and married his wife, Viola, at Second Baptist Church in Houston, and together they raised their family in Spring Branch. John loved his work, and he practiced as a professional engineer for many decades with the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation before settling into a very long and active retirement. Following Viola’s death, John married Margaret Cooper, and the two of them traveled the world together before her passing in 2007. He cherished his many friendships as a member of Tallowood Baptist Church.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers and sisters, his first wife, Viola, and his second wife, Margaret. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Whitlock and her husband Victor; his son, Ken Shell and his wife, Gena, and his grandchildren Thomas, Piper and Clarke; his stepchildren, Linda King and her husband Larry, Laura Krustchinsky and her husband Rick, and James Cooper. John is also survived by many nieces and nephews, who he loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, in the Chapel of the Oaks at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston Texas, with the Reverend William Miller presiding. A reception will follow at a nearby restaurant in Memorial.

Serving as pallbearers are Thomas Shell, Clarke Shell, Grayson Smith, George Standige, Ivan Valle, Samuel Jordan and Diego Carrasco-Torres.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Shell family.