(From Derfelt Funeral Home)Jack F. Shoemaker, 85, passed away on October 21, 2022 at his home in Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Jack was born March 9, 1937 in Portland, Oregon the son of Vincent Shoemaker and Dorothy (Cramer) Shoemaker.
His childhood in Portland was a very difficult one. At the age of 13 Jack moved to Kansas City, Kansas to live with his Aunt Clara and Uncle Ted Edwards who lovingly raised him from that point forward as their son. He attended Wyandotte High School until the family moved from Kansas City to a farm near Melvern, Kansas in 1954. Jack then attended Melvern High School and graduated in 1956.
From an early age Jack found comfort and refuge at school, and he developed a life-long love of learning and education. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia with a B.S. in Education, Biology, and Social Science and later earned two M.S. degrees in Education and Special Education with an emphasis in Learning Disabilities. He would also earn elementary principal, secondary principal, and district-level superintendent certifications.
Jack worked as an educator in Kansas for thirty-seven years, beginning his career as a high school science teacher in Oswego, Bern, and then Lebo. Early in his career Jack participated in the rigorous National Science Foundation Summer Institute program for secondary science teachers, traveling to four colleges and universities for intensive training in science education. He later transitioned to school leadership and served as a principal in Lebo, Burlington, Baxter Springs, and Conway Springs.
Jack worked as an educator in Kansas for thirty-seven years, beginning his career as a high school science teacher in Oswego, Bern, and then Lebo. Early in his career Jack participated in the rigorous National Science Foundation Summer Institute program for secondary science teachers, traveling to four colleges and universities for intensive training in science education. He later transitioned to school leadership and served as a principal in Lebo, Burlington, Baxter Springs, and Conway Springs.
Over the course of his long career, he served in many other teaching and administration roles when called upon, including curriculum development, special education teacher, fourth grade teacher, junior high mathematics teacher, assistant coach, and bus driver. As an educator, Jack's work had a lasting impact on many people, and he thoroughly enjoyed running into former students and having the chance to visit with them.
Jack belonged to Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin and enjoyed serving on the van ministry transporting children to and from Sunday school and AWANA, as well as serving on the church's Disaster Relief team. He also participated in Lions Club in both Baxter Springs and Lebo and served for a time on the Lebo City Council. Jack's hobbies included taking his sailboats out on Melvern Lake with his young family and friends in the summers, and of course watching his extensive collection of classic movies.
In 1962 Jack married Judy Ann DeForest in Lebo, Kansas. Jack and Judy met while she was working at his aunt and uncle's restaurant in Lebo, and it was love at first site. They were inseparable for more than 59 years. Together they were an enduring example of love, especially through difficult times. Life's challenges only made their love for each other grow stronger. They raised three children, and Jack could not have been a better father, teacher, mentor, and friend to them.
Jack belonged to Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin and enjoyed serving on the van ministry transporting children to and from Sunday school and AWANA, as well as serving on the church's Disaster Relief team. He also participated in Lions Club in both Baxter Springs and Lebo and served for a time on the Lebo City Council. Jack's hobbies included taking his sailboats out on Melvern Lake with his young family and friends in the summers, and of course watching his extensive collection of classic movies.
In 1962 Jack married Judy Ann DeForest in Lebo, Kansas. Jack and Judy met while she was working at his aunt and uncle's restaurant in Lebo, and it was love at first site. They were inseparable for more than 59 years. Together they were an enduring example of love, especially through difficult times. Life's challenges only made their love for each other grow stronger. They raised three children, and Jack could not have been a better father, teacher, mentor, and friend to them.
He could always be counted on to offer encouragement and support, and he imparted his knowledge and wonderful sense of humor to his children, grandchildren, and students. He was proud of his family and proud of his students. After experiencing a difficult childhood Jack devoted his entire life to lifting up young people.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Dorothy, his Aunt Clara and Uncle Ted, brother Vincent James Shoemaker, sister Clara Lee Smith, and infant son Joseph Ted Shoemaker.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Dorothy, his Aunt Clara and Uncle Ted, brother Vincent James Shoemaker, sister Clara Lee Smith, and infant son Joseph Ted Shoemaker.
He is survived by his wife Judy, three of their children, Penny Ann Larsen and husband Jay Larsen, of Irvine, California, Wendy Lea Youngberg and husband Darin Youngberg of Joplin, Missouri, and Vincent “Joe” Shoemaker and wife Kristine Bohon of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; six grandchildren Madison (Youngberg) King, Kayla (Shoemaker) Boyle, Natali (Youngberg) Byrne, Holly (Traphagan) Gonzalez, Zora Shoemaker, and Brayden Youngberg; nine great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
A visitation for family and friends in the Baxter Springs/Joplin area will be held at Derfelt's Chapel in Baxter Springs on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.
A memorial service will follow at the Lebo Baptist Church in Lebo, Kansas on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. for friends and family in that area. All are welcome.
Memorial donations can be made directly to the Salvation Army, or to a charity of your choice.
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