John Frank Shaddix

John Frank Shaddix “Ski Daddy”, 75 yrs. old, of Houston TX went to his heavenly home peacefully at his Ranchito in Bronte, TX May 3, 2024. He was born in Longview, TX on September 8, 1948, to Vera Lee and John W. Shaddix.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Professor John W Shaddix Step- Mother Laverne Shaddix, Mother Vera Lee Joyner, brother Vernoy Dale Shaddix, Sister-in-law Valenta Shaddix, and his cat Tiger.

He is survived by Shirley Jean Michalak Shaddix, two nephews Jimmy Dale and wife Patty Lynn Shaddix, Melvin and wife Samantha Shaddix, his God Son William F. “Rusty” Wallace III and God Child Kendis Meryl “Wallace” Seward.

John was a God-fearing Christian man, with strong faith. He enjoyed being in or close to the outdoors. He specifically loved fishing, hunting, or just riding through the country. He was a billiards “pool shark” and could bowl with the best as his trophies indicate. John was a Journeyman Millwright by trade and worked in the Houston area and worked for the UBC&JofA as an organizer.

He spent many years working with William F. “Bill” Wallace, Jr. at D&W Fur Company processing and buying furs & hides, armadillos, deer and other skins. John held the first Coon Jamboree in Junction, TX. During his work at D&W Fur Co. he ventured off and began buying live rattlesnakes after starting Rare Skins with Bill Wallace. John was the first to hold a Snake Jamboree, the first ever International Rattlesnake Roundup and purchased snakes from the Freer Rattlesnake Roundup, Sweetwater Roundup and many other roundups year after year which included buying rattlesnakes in Georgia and Florida. Rare Skins eventually opened their own tannery in OK.

John had an abundance of snakeskin vamps for boots that he sold to Nacona, Justin, Bona Allen, Tony Llama, Rio Mercedes, and others. He made several products from the tanned skins such as wallets, money clips, vests, pens, hat bands, belts, and keychains that he loved to sell or pass out to friends and family. His rattlesnake hatbands and rattlesnake guitar straps were famous and bought by several actors and singers. John and Bill with the help of Rusty Wallace and his friends teamed up to buy armadillos. Just ask Robert Earl Keen about the “Armadillo Jackel” – “they take’em frozen down in Hallettsville; they don’t take’em alive; the Jackel cried”. The armadillo business was short lived due to an overabundance of them.

John then found his “Pollok” Shirley Jean and they married May 5, 1997. They lived in Houston across the street from Bailey’s House of Guns where Shirley Jean still works. John would work off and on with construction as a Millwright, he helped Rusty, Jeanette, and Mary Wallace at Certified Abatement Systems, then for C/ LVI as Warehouse and Inventory Manager. Along the way he assisted with hurricane clean up as needed with Frontier Development, Inc.

John began to slow down as he approached retirement. At this point his lungs gave him some major problems which required putting him on oxygen and limitations. John was a go getter; always playing jokes on people and making them happy even if it was with his red, white and blue outfit or his decked-out snake outfits.

So many friends so many memories and simply not enough space to fit it all in. John was loved so much and will be dearly missed.

A funeral service for John will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.

Please join in the Family Center for lunch after the burial.