Eugene Alton Shanklin

Eugene A. (Shank) Shanklin passed away in Slidell, LA on Tuesday morning, August 16, 2016 of natural causes. He was born on Aug. 27, 1924 in Muscogee, OK and spent his childhood in northwest Arkansas. World War II broke out when he was 17. As soon as he could, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and saw service in Texas, England, France and Germany. This was a source great satisfaction for him. After the war, he attended college at what is now the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he studied forestry. Afterwards, he worked as a forester for International Paper Company for over thirty years.

In 1951, he married the love of his life, Elaine Corry Shanklin. Their marriage lasted for over sixty years until her death in 2011. Most of his career in forestry was spent in Mansfield, LA where he was a resident for over 54 years and a longtime member of First Baptist Church. In 2012, he moved to Slidell to be near his daughter’s family and spent the rest of his years there.

He is survived by three sons, Ed Shanklin of Kenner, LA, Larry Shanklin and Barry Shanklin, both of Shreveport, LA and one daughter, Jeanie Shuler of Slidell, LA. He is also survived by three grandchildren.

Services will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, August 19, 2016. A visitation will be at 10:00 A.M. followed by a graveside service at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, any gifts may be sent to First Baptist Church Mansfield.