Robert Glen Shaddox (Bob), age 91, of McKinney, Texas, passed away December 10, 2016, at his home in McKinney. He was born October 16, 1925 to Hiram Charles and Lillian Tennessee (Sullivan) Shaddox, in Western Grove, Newton County, Arkansas. He grew up near and on land homesteaded by his ancestors. He honorably served his country in the US Army Air Corps, and subsequently attended the University of Arkansas. He excelled in mathematics, obtained a degree in engineering, and was honored with membership in the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi. He worked as an engineer for the state of Arkansas before taking a job with a pipeline company, first in construction and later in operations. In an era of a gold watch after 20 years’ service, he received two from the company, as he moved around the country and up management ranks before retiring to golf and grandkids at Stonebridge in McKinney.
On June 1, 1952, he married his wife, life partner and travel companion Qulia Doughty Shaddox, seamstress and homemaker par excellence, who predeceased him on July 29th 2007. A skilled craftsman, cabinet maker and finish carpenter, he furnished many of their homes with built in and custom furniture, and designed and built with his own hands one home in the Texas Panhandle that was a model of energy and ergonomic efficiency, although it was so airtight the chimney would not draw without a window open. Active in church, scouts, and schooling, they raised two sons, both Eagle Scouts, and engineers. Notwithstanding some mobility concerns, the last few years were highlighted by travels to family reunions, open cockpit WWII airplane and hot air balloon rides, several canoe trips on the Buffalo River, and in October a family gathering, trail ride and cowboy breakfast at Mayan Ranch in Bandera. His friends and family will particularly remember his keen memory, storytelling, and sense of humor. The family appreciates his efforts to document family stories and histories, which extended to writing and editing several collections of family anecdotes after he was vision impaired and legally blind.
His sister Betty Shaddox Cowell of Deer, Arkansas and brother Bill Shaddox of Harrison, Arkansas predeceased him.
He is survived by sons, Robert C. and his wife Julie of Houston, Texas, Tom and his wife Brenda of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Lauren, Julie, Neil and Elin; grea-granddaughter, Penelope; sister, Dorothy Shaddox Paden of Mountain Home, Arkansas; brothers, Jim and Curt Shaddox of Van Buren, Missouri and Harrison, Arkansas respectively, and extended in-laws, nephews, nieces, and the rest. The family wishes to express enormous gratitude to Claudia Georges for her competence in all things, home assistance, and friendship over the last several years.
A visitation for local friends and family will be held Thursday, December 15, 2016, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expwy. North, Allen, Texas, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Thornburg Baptist Church, 31 Church St., Thornburg, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Thornburg Cemetery in Thornburg, Arkansas. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).