George Lee Shackelton, 84, of Colby, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at Prairie Senior Living Complex.
He was born August 22, 1935 in Pittsburg, KS to Oscar and Hazel (Shepeard) Shackelton.
He married Mary Lyon on August 24, 1960 in Faulkner, KS.
During his life he obtained two college degrees, one from Pittsburg KS State College in Music Education with an emphasis on brass instruments and the other from Kansas State University in Animal Science.
He taught instrumental music in various school districts in Southeast Kansas, Southeast Missouri and Southwest Kansas. Much later, he also taught music at Central Indian Bible College in South Dakota.
After receiving his agriculture degree, he worked as a farmer, a farm manager and a grain elevator operator in Northeast Kansas, Southeast Kansas and Northwest Kansas. His final place of employment was at Cooper Grain Elevator in Colby, KS, from which he retired to be a full-time grandpa.
In retirement especially, he enjoyed working with his hands and fixing things. He seldom met a broken object that he didn’t think he could fix (and usually did). He also was passionate about gardening and lawn care.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed music, even after he was no longer teaching. He sang in many church choirs and was the director of several as well. His favorite pastime was listening to classical music, brass music and hymns on recordings or on the radio. George and his wife Mary passed down their love of music to their children and grandchildren, many of whom are still involved with music in some way to this day. George’s family was always active in church wherever they were. At the time of his death, he was a member of College Drive Assembly church.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother (Bernice Close Shackelton, and his twin brother, John Shackelton.
Survivors include his wife Mary of Colby; sister Kay Ticen of Sarasota, FL; his daughters Kathy (Steve) Myers of Colby; Karen (Mike) Larmer of Garden City, KS, and his son, Kenneth of Golden, CO. Also surviving are his six grandchildren- Andrew (Cyndi) Myers, Mary Beth Myers, Daniel Myers, Bryce Myers, Leanna (Timothy) Adams, Nick (Kourtney) Larmer and four great-grandchildren- Nathaniel and Jackson Myers, Hannah and Josiah Adams.
A memorial celebration will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Heartland Christian School, 1995 W. 4th St., Colby, KS 67701. George was quite proud of the accomplishments of all of his grandchildren during their time at the school.