Foy Willis Shackelford

Foy Willis Shackelford, DDS, a long-time resident of his beloved Amarillo, passed away on October 13, 2009 in Austin, Texas from complications of pneumonia.  His family, his church, his dental career, and the needs of orphaned and abused children were his passions.  Whatever Foy did—building houses, operating a dental lab, building a dental practice, communicating on his ham radio, flying his private plane, playing golf, enjoying family and friends, trying out the latest marvel of technology—he did with energy, joy and competence.Foy was 94 at the time of his death and often said, “I have had a wonderful life”.  Foy led a life full of curiosity, hard-work, and service.  Foy was born on January 16, 1915, into a family that moved a lot due to his father’s construction business.  But once Foy got to Amarillo as a young man, he never wanted to leave. His life’s partner was his beloved wife, Rachel Tipton Shackelford.  In 2001 Foy wrote, “I met and married the most beautiful and the loveliest woman in Oklahoma and Texas.”  Foy and Rachel made a great team as they started their family, established a dental lab business, and became active in their church community.  It was said that from their earliest days in Amarillo, people suffering trouble or illness could expect Foy and Rachel to be there.  They unhesitatingly provided temporary homes for several teenagers unexpectedly in need of special help.  In 1942, Rachel lost her eyesight.  Foy and Rachel accepted the challenges, adapted together, and went forward.  Foy and Rachel’s family were very important to them.  They worked hard to make sure Jerry, Nyla and Lynn had the tools to become fine adults.  In 1948, Foy and Rachel teamed up in a leap of faith that would extend over the next six years.  During this time, they made the sacrifices necessary to enable Foy, who had dropped out of school in the 9th grade during the Depression, to complete his education and become a dentist.  After Foy’s graduation in 1954 from the University of Texas School of Dentistry, they returned to Amarillo.  Foy set up a dental practice that flourished and grew over the years.  Some patients could pay, while others could not.  Both received the best treatment Foy could provide.  Foy’s most treasured professional rewards were the many grateful patients who would greet Foy fondly whenever they saw him.  After Foy’s retirement in 1977, Foy and Rachel enjoyed their church, friends, family and their RV.  They made many trips and many wonderful memories.  Foy was often troubled by the plight of others.  But his heart was broken twice—when his daughter Nyla died of cancer in 1996 and when he watched Rachel’s gradual decline with Alzheimer’s disease.  After Rachel’s death in 2000, Foy missed her terribly.  But he always appreciated the great life they had shared together for over 65 years.Serving his church and his community was a consistent part of Foy’s life.  Foy was an active member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder in the Central, Southlawn and Southwest congregations in Amarillo.  He was an avid Bible scholar and taught many classes.  Beginning in 1964, Foy was one of the original proponents, visionaries, and sustainers of the High Plains Children’s Home.  He was an ardent advocate of the maternity and adoption program that has now provided over 3,000 children with a better life.  Foy was a lifetime honorary Board member of the High Plains Children’s Home.  Foy was one of the founders of the Church Loans and Investment Trust, a real estate investment trust that lends money to churches for building programs.  He served on the Board from its inception in 1959 through 1998.  Foy’s legacy is deep and broad—as a husband and father, as a church leader, as a dentist, as a friend, and as a pragmatic visionary.  He is survived by his two sons, Jerry Shackelford of Austin and Lyn Shackelford of Dallas; three grandchildren, Dianne Stewart of Austin, Steve Stewart of Aledo, and Wesley Shackelford of Austin; three great-grandchildren, Helen Barton, Wyatt Stewart and Lily Stewart; a brother, Loyd Shackelford of Austin; son-in-law Bob Stewart of Dallas, daughter-in-law Michele Shackelford of Austin, and sister-in-law Myrtle Tipton Andrews of Miami, Oklahoma.  Foy was preceded in death by his wife Rachel Shackelford, his daughter Nyla Stewart, his sister Ophelia Carrigan, and his parents Florence Pounders Shackelford and Otis Shackelford.Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2009 at Southwest Church of Christ at 4515 Cornell Street in Amarillo.  Burial will be at Llano Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the High Plains Children’s Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas 79114.The family will receive visitors from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 15 at Schooler Funeral Home.

---