Obituary

Shackelford, Larry Eugene

Larry Eugene Shackelford peacefully took his last breath surrounded by family and loved ones Feb. 9, 2016 at 4:15 p.m. after a six-year battle with cancer. A rosary and visitation will be held Friday, February 12, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel at Kornerstone Funeral Directors. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at 10 a.m. at St. Alice Catholic Church with MSGR. Ben Kasteel officiating. Interment will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Larry was born April 7, 1947, to Eugene and Grace Shackelford in Amarillo, Texas, minutes before his twin sister Sherry Jean Shackelford Ratterree. Larry graduated in 1965 from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo. After graduation, Larry drove an ambulance, receiving many commendations for saving lives. Larry would later go to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, following in his father's and brother's footsteps, first as a brakeman, working his way up to conductor. On Aug. 7, 1977, Larry married Irma Teresa Masso, the daughter of Jesse Nasif and Fernand Masso at St. Alice Catholic Church in Plainview. Larry and Irma purchased and ran a grocery store in Morton until poor economic conditions forced its closure. They moved back to Plainview, where Larry spent the next 17 years working for Cargill in management. In 1997, Larry purchased Honey Cut Hams in Lubbock. He and his family operated this business until 2005. Larry was known for personally delivering spiral-sliced hams and turkeys to many Plainview residents on his way home. After selling that business, he worked for Brinks driving an armored truck and for Bealls and CVS Pharmacy in sales before retiring around 2009. Larry volunteered in the Boy Scouts of America as Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster and in various district leadership positions from 1988-2006. He received several awards and commendations in the Scouting program, the most notable being the St. George Emblem for significant contributions to Catholic Scouting. This award was presented by The Most Reverend Placido Rodriguez, Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock in 2011. Larry's influence on Scouting can be seen in the many young men who not only remained in the program but went on to make significant contributions to their communities as a result of Larry's leadership in their lives. He was most proud that his two sons attained the rank of Eagle Scout under his guidance and leadership. Larry was also an active parishioner of St. Alice Catholic Church, a 4th Degree Knight in The Knights of Columbus, and served in many leadership capacities for the Faith in Sharing House. Larry is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Irma Shackelford of Plainview, his two sons Philip (wife Kyndra) of College Station and Aaron of Plainview, and his five siblings including his brother Lance (wife Wynn) of Cumby, and sisters Lila Casler of Amarillo, Marlene Brown of Waxahachie, Winona Shackelford of Jacksboro, his twin sister Sherry Jean Ratterree of Amarillo and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to give special thanks to all of the caring healthcare providers locally and across the state that provided care to Larry through all these years as well as Angel Flight for providing transportation between Plainview and Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Alice Catholic Church, Angel Flight South Central, 2550 Midway Rd. #220, Carrollton, TX 75006, The Boy Scouts of America South Plains Council Haynes District, 30 Briercroft Office Park, Lubbock, TX 79412, or the American Cancer Society .