By Linda Elissalde
The amazing Dr. Wallace Shook turned 95 on September 23, 2020. However, he was not at “All Shook Up” about it. Wallace’s family created tee shirt did declare, “I DEMAND A RECOUNT!” The rest of his group sported “95 YEARS OF AWESOME”. Jane and Wallace Shook have been married for 73 years. Dr. Shook stated that the secret to their success was good genes.
At one time Dr. Shook served at First Methodist Church in Beaumont, Texas where my parents were members. First Methodist congregation embraced Pastor Shook and his whole family. I attended with mom and dad whenever I came home. I had the pleasure of meeting all the Shooks including son Rusty. We would lose him eventually to cancer when he was only in his teens. Rusty had come from Houston to visit during a break in treatments. Every church attendee lined up to talk with him. Sitting in his wheelchair, Rusty greeted each of us with such smiling graciousness that his memory has stayed with me through the years. Since that time we had the pleasure of meeting their ever expanding family.
The Shooks once had a house in Crystal Beach, but it flew away with IKE. Wallace often rents a house around his birthday for his clan. Some of those dates coincided with heavy storms. Beta threatened this time, but they were able to move their rental reservation. We consider it such a privilege to visit with them. We did suggest that he might want to delay his BD parties until hurricane season is over. Of course, we always know to bring a pie of some sort to Wallace. It is such fun to share stories and laugh a lot. Jane listens quietly, but corrects Wallace when necessary.
What an uplifting treat to be around these positive people! Ask any of the family to whom they owe their joy, and all fingers point toward Jane and Wallace. Dr. Wallace Shook stays young at heart, and we agree with the slogan on his cap: 95 NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!
[Oct-5-2020]
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Linda, what a marvelous article about a wonderful man. Thank you!!
Rita snd Charles