Robert L. Shook

Mr. Robert L. Shook, 81 of Kinta passed away Sunday, January 24, 2016. He was born July 29, 1934 in Stilwell to Denver Clay and Dina Mae (Girdner) Shook. He spent most of his life around Stilwell. In August 1952 a new girl enrolled at Cave Springs High School, her name was Janice Mattox, and they became high school sweethearts. After graduating in May 1954 they decided to go to Prairie Grove, Arkansas on June 30 and get married. On August 5, 1954 Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After basic training he was stationed at the Ardmore Air Force Base in Ardmore, Oklahoma. On May 22, 1956 a wonderful baby boy, Andrew Clayton arrived. He was Roberts pride and joy. When Clayton was eight months old, Robert received orders to serve in Japan for eighteen months. He was discharged April 21, 1958. In the fall of 1958, he took full advantage of the G.I. Bill and enrolled at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah. While in college on September 29, 1959 a beautiful baby girl, Patricia Lynn arrived, another pride and joy of his life. In 1961, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in math, minoring in Physics and Chemistry. During his life he attended many colleges including University of Oklahoma, Carl Albert College, Kansas State College, and Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. He received his Master’s degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. In the summer of 1961, he moved to Grove and taught math there until 1963. He returned to Cave Springs and was employed there for eight years as a Math Teacher and four years as a High School Principal. In 1975 he moved to Kinta, there he served approximately eight years as a High School Principal and four years as a teacher. He retired in 1989 from Kinta School. After retiring he accepted the job as principal of the Stilwell Baptist Church Christian School for a year. He then relocated back to Kinta. He was ordained as a Deacon on November 21, 1971 at Bunch Baptist Church. Since moving to Kinta he has faithfully served as Deacon for the Kinta Baptist Church. He taught Sunday school most of his adult Christian Life, and you didn’t have to ask him if he was a Christian, you could tell by the way he lived his life. He loved the Lord with all his heart and adored the love of his wife Jan. They were married for sixty one years and his family meant the world to him. He is survived by his wife, Janice Shook of the home; two children, Clayton Shook and wife Joni of Atoka, Patricia Lynn Pool and husband Terry of Splendora, Texas; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce Latta of Stillwell, Wanda Poteete of Tahlequah, Lois Jean of Stilwell. He is preceded in death by his parents, Denver Clay and Dina Mae Shook; one brother, Joe Shook. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Kinta First Baptist Church with Reverend James Easley and C.B. Coplen officiating. Pallbearers include Scott Kniess, C.B. Coplen III, Orville Wheat, Jimmy Tucker, Bill Mathews, and Jimmy Meyer. Honorary Pallbearers include Ralph Carpenter, Leon Daniels, Larry Johnson, and Thomas Tate. Burial will immediately follow at Bunch Cemetery under the direction of King and Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.

Robert L. Shook

July 29, 1934 - January 24, 2016