John Russell Shook Jr.

MCALLEN- John Russell Shook, Jr. 59, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at his McAllen residence. He was born on May 16, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio to John Russell and Mary Lou Coleman Shook. He married Sarah Vernice Pipkin in 1981. He graduated from Appalachian Bible College, B.A.., Bowie State University, M.A.., and University of Missouri at Kansas City, PH.D. John spent four years in the Army as the Intelligence Analyst, the last couple of years as NSA in Maryland. He was called back to duty in 1991 for the Gulf War, during which he contracted a rare disease, Idiopathic Fibrosing Mediastinitis. He was known to be the longest living survivor of this disease. John taught and coached at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri and for the last eleven years at South Texas College in McAllen, TX. He was a man who was a strong believer in his faith and served as a member of Faith Baptist Church in Palmhurst, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah Shook; his mother, Mary Lou Shook and 15 siblings. Family will receive friends today, January 16, 2014 from 6-9 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Palmhurst. Funeral service will be Friday, January 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Palmhurst. Interment will follow to Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission. Contributions for student scholarships can be made to Faith Baptist Academy, 4301 N. Shary Rd., Palmhurst, TX 78573. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel in Mission, a dignity memorial provider.