Claude Shackelford

Claude Kenneth Shackelford of Odem, Texas passed away on Thursday morning, February 9, 2012 at the age of 93. He was born in El Campo, Texas on March 20, 1918 to Claude James and Ada Lorene (Goodwin) Shackelford. Kenneth grew up on a dairy farm in El Campo graduating from El Campo High School. He attended the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas, as a campus boy at the then all-girls school. He was a member of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor Heritage Club (Alumni) and he was an avid Baylor University supporter. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Odem for over 50 years and most recently attended the Calallen Baptist Church. He married Marjorie King Shackelford of Edna, Texas on August 20, 1944. He and Marjorie were married 67 years. They resided in Sinton and Sodville prior to moving to Odem in 1955. They lived in Columbia, South America the first year of their marriage before returning to the United States. Kenneth worked for John W. Hardwicke in the vegetable processing business before opening his own business. He owned Shackelford Seed Co. in Odem for over 50 years, retiring at the age of 85. He sold cotton seed, grain sorghum, and fertilizer to many of the Odem and area farmers. He also owned Shackelford Insurance Company for many years. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two daughters, Carolyn Kay (Albino) Buscemi of Pearland, Texas and Martha Greenwood of Corpus Christi, Texas; two grandchildren, Lindsay Greenwood and Lance Greenwood of Corpus Christi, Texas; three great granddaughters, Hannah Garcia, Taylor Guerra and Payton Tyler. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. with the family present from 2 P.M. until 4 P.M. Sunday, February 12, 2012 in Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 A.M. Monday, February 13, 2012 in Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jack Willoughby of Calallen Baptist Church and Bro. Willis Moore of First Baptist Church Odem officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 3:30 P.M. Monday, February 13, 2012 at Garden of Memories Cemetery in El Campo, Texas. Pallbearers will be Robert Barlow, Frank Oelschegel, John Kenneth Jones, W. A. Davis, Ben Hansen, Hilmer Person, Ronnie Rice and Xavier Barrera. Honorary pallbearers are his faithful friends, Jan Whiteley, Melissa Rice, Jim Bruning, Homer Slayton and Brenda Baylor. Those who wish may make contributions to the South Texas Children's Home, the University of Mary Hardin Baylor or Baylor University. The family wishes to thank the Odem and Calallen communities for their on going support.