Angela Marie Shook was born February 5th, 1971 at the Army Hospital in Fort Meade, Maryland. Life’s travels as a child sent her many places in Northern Virginia, then to Charlotte, North Carolina, Bridgeport, West Virginia, eventually landing in Oklahoma City. She attended Putnam City North High School, where in 1989 she graduated with honors, 31st in a class of 435. This was also where she met the love of her life and eventual husband, Stephen Ray Shook. She was an exceptional student, while he decidedly was not.
A diehard Sooner, she enrolled at the University of Oklahoma (the ONLY place she applied), originally as a Business Major- in which she excelled- but felt a calling to teach. This led to her changing her major to Education, a decision she never regretted. After the military, Ray joined her at OU and they were married. They graduated together in 1994- Angie, again, with honors.
Her love of education and children made her an outstanding Teacher, first at Willow Brook Elementary, next as part of the inaugural staff at Belle Isle Enterprise School - the first of its kind in Oklahoma City. In later years, she was deeply moved by former students who reached out to her to let her know what an impact she had made on their lives. She won Teacher of the Year at Belle Isle, and was a finalist for the same award with the Oklahoma City Public Schools, the largest School District in the state.
Following the birth of their first child, Reagan, her next goal was getting her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. She accomplished this in May of 2001 from the University of Central Oklahoma- as usual, with honors. Following a stint as an Assistant Principal, one of her former Professors recruited and recommended her to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Quickly rising to the State Coordinator of Testing, Angie also served as an Interim Assistant State Superintendent of Schools.
Her expertise in her field did not go unnoticed. After several months of corporate wooing by five testing companies to join them, Angie and Ray packed up the kids- now including Greyson, who came along after a two week stay in the NICU- and moved to Austin, Texas in 2004. First with Pearson and later NWEA, Angie managed several large state accounts, and worked as an Educational Lobbyist to various State Legislatures, municipalities, and agencies across the United States.
Angie loved not only being a Sooner in the land of the Longhorns, but also a Redskin fan in the heart of Dallas Cowboy country. The Commissioner of two Fantasy Football leagues, She wore her colors proudly, and like to say she was doing “Missionary Work”.
Here is where she dove into her next great passion in life- her faith. Besides Sunday Services and Disciple Bible Study, she involved her family in various charity work and even served a term on the Board of a local Church. Continuing her religious studies through books, lectures and music, her relationship with God became the center of her foundation. Youth leaders for a High School church group, Angie and Ray also opened their home for several kids who she lovingly called her “strays”, so they could help them rise and grow through their various challenges.
After her career in education, she pursued emergency management. She worked several years for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Starting out as a Project Specialist, she quickly advanced to Task Force Lead, working on several major Federal Declared Disasters.
In 2022, Angie joined the Texas Division of Emergency Management (T/DEM) as a Unit Chief, where she assisted in opening and operating T/DEM’s Emergency Management Academy and took a leading role in developing the Curriculum. The first of its kind in the nation and likely the world, she considered this her greatest professional accomplishment. She spoke at the graduation of their second class of cadets less than three weeks ago, or as she called them, her “kids.”
In 2021, Angie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This battle was a defining moment in her life. When she left us, she was two years Cancer Free. Angie credited much of her victory to the outpouring of love and support from her friends and family across the country. Most of the rest she credited to her new puppy, Boomer. She accepted the label of Survivor, but much preferred Warrior. Helping others defeat this scourge was a cause near and dear to her heart. Her Phoenix tattoo was her badge of Courage, and symbolized her personal Triumph.
Greyson and Reagan were now grown and graduated, and she took great pride in their work ethic, their career paths, and their life decisions. Reagan’s wedding to Aurora Balcazar on April 29, 2023 and their reception the following week were two of the most joyous occasions of her life.
Angie was a fixture of the Austin local music scene. But not as an artist, as a fan. Music was one of her loves and she always had a song on her heart. Open Mic nights, gigs, music benefits, Friendsgiving, and jams anywhere from someone’s Garage to the Destin, Florida trips - she loved it all. Music could and would always make her smile. Her smile was infectious, and our tribe grew.
Angie felt Friendship and Fellowship were core values - and being the excellent cook that she was - were to be shared over lots of great food. The Shook house was always open. B grade Horror movie club nights, Angie’s EPIC Halloween Parties, plus many a giant feast at Easter and Thanksgiving, all were welcome. She loved to tell people she was going to spend a quite evening with her husband and a couple hundred of their closest friends.
Angie is survived by:
Her Husband, Stephen Ray Shook and their two sons, Reagan Lee Shook & Greyson Ray Shook. Her mother, Jacalyn “Jackie” Lee Bendure & her father, Charles “Butch” Konrad Block. Her sister, Lindsay Ellen McClellan & brother, Ryan Michael Block. Angie rekindled and treasured a relationship with her biological father, Roger “Butch” Madsen, wife Rose and sisters, Barb Burkett & Pam Callahan, and brother, Ken Madsen. Ray’s parents, George & Melva Carney, Sister, Lynn Noel Walker, along with many loving aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
And lastly but importantly, she leaves behind many, many dear friends in our wonderful tribe whom she also called family. She truly believed family was not just blood, but also heart.
A memorial service for Angela will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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