Adam Shackleford of Plano, Texas, died on April 11 at the age of 61.
Born in Rantoul, Ill. Adam traveled from the start of his life.
Part of an Air Force military family, Adam lived on many different bases and grew up in many different towns. When he was in high school, his father was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and the family moved to Niceville, Fla.
There, Adam met the love of his life -- Gretchen Herrmann – playing pool at the base community recreation center.
The two were together from that day forward. They married in 1984, days after Adam graduated from Air Force basic training.
Together, Adam and Gretchen then began moving with their own military family, settling in California, Spain and Arizona with their daughter and son.
Then in 1994, Adam moved his family to North Texas, where they settled.
With his home turf established, Adam still lived a life of adventure, traveling the world for many years in his work for Colorado-based LogRhythm.
Always with a twinkle in his eye and a ready quip, Adam brought good times wherever he went and loved being the center of attention. His infectious laugh rang out at every gathering, and he will be remembered by every life he touched.
He listened intently to his grandchildren, nephews and nieces and always let them know that their insights and opinions mattered.
While Shackleford devoted his work life to technical details, at home his artistic side flourished. Woodworking, needlepoint, yard art and, most recently, drawing, he created numerous projects and pieces of art. A lifelong student, he devoted hours of study to history and genealogy.
Adam is survived by his wife, Gretchen, of Plano, Texas; daughter Heidi (Dustin) Hibner and grandchildren Addison, Emma and Charlotte of Haslet, Texas; son Jacob (Katelyn) Shackleford and granddaughter Chloe of Cranston, R.I.; mother Nancy Jane (Deponte) Shackleford, brothers Kevin (Judy) Shackleford and Brian (Amy) Shackleford, all of Crestview, Fla.; and brother Jason Shackleford of Aliquippa, Penn.
Adam was preceded in death by his father William Bob Shackleford.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on April 19 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Requesting flowers be sent to funeral home or to consider making a donation to National Kidney Foundation: