Roll Call Tribute
Elbert Shoemate '49 October 26, 2020 10:31 AM updated: October 26, 2020 10:32 AM
Elbert Rice Shoemate
JULY 20, 1928 – JUNE 20, 2016
Lieutenant Colonel Elbert Rice Shoemate, 87, passed into the wild blue yonder on Monday, June 20, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in 1928 to Marion and Vera Shoemate of New London, Texas, Elbert was a bright young boy. His goal throughout childhood was to find a way to go to college. Elbert described his father as intelligent but uneducated, and Elbert knew that a good education would open doors to him that had been closed to Marion. Elbert married the love of his life, Edna Istook, on June 6, 1949, just a few hours after she earned her own Bachelor’s degree. They lived in College Station, where Elbert attended Texas A&M, until he took a job with Dow Chemical in 1950 and the family moved to Freeport. In November of 1951, Elbert was called into service from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of First Lieutenant. He remained with the Air Force until retiring in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Bronze Star recipient. Elbert enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Over the course of his lifetime, he forgot more about chemistry and science than most people ever learn. He was an active member of the Elks and the VFW, and a devoted family man. Elbert, known to his friends as Al, is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Edna Istook Shoemate; his sister, Doris Morgan; and four children: his daughter, Kathy (Charles) Seidler; his sons, Roger (Barbara) Shoemate, Stephen Shoemate, and Charles (Yan) Shoemate. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Michael Henley, William (Melissa) Henley, James Shoemate, Christina (Garrett) Buchanan, Dorothy (Corey) Crawford, Anna Prochazka, Sarah (Jason) Butler, and Allen Shoemate, and nine great-grandchildren: Zoe, Desiree, Phoenix, Jadyn, Brenna, Ezekiel, Hayden, Davrick, and Benjamin. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Vera Shoemate, his sister, Sammie Lee Shoemate; and his youngest son, Elbert Patrick Shoemate. Visitation will be held at Restwood Funeral Home Friday June 24, 2016 from at 6pm-8pm. Funeral Services will be held at Restwood Funeral Home Saturday June 25, 2016 at 9am.
© 2020 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
JULY 20, 1928 – JUNE 20, 2016
Lieutenant Colonel Elbert Rice Shoemate, 87, passed into the wild blue yonder on Monday, June 20, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in 1928 to Marion and Vera Shoemate of New London, Texas, Elbert was a bright young boy. His goal throughout childhood was to find a way to go to college. Elbert described his father as intelligent but uneducated, and Elbert knew that a good education would open doors to him that had been closed to Marion. Elbert married the love of his life, Edna Istook, on June 6, 1949, just a few hours after she earned her own Bachelor’s degree. They lived in College Station, where Elbert attended Texas A&M, until he took a job with Dow Chemical in 1950 and the family moved to Freeport. In November of 1951, Elbert was called into service from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of First Lieutenant. He remained with the Air Force until retiring in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Bronze Star recipient. Elbert enjoyed fishing, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Over the course of his lifetime, he forgot more about chemistry and science than most people ever learn. He was an active member of the Elks and the VFW, and a devoted family man. Elbert, known to his friends as Al, is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Edna Istook Shoemate; his sister, Doris Morgan; and four children: his daughter, Kathy (Charles) Seidler; his sons, Roger (Barbara) Shoemate, Stephen Shoemate, and Charles (Yan) Shoemate. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Michael Henley, William (Melissa) Henley, James Shoemate, Christina (Garrett) Buchanan, Dorothy (Corey) Crawford, Anna Prochazka, Sarah (Jason) Butler, and Allen Shoemate, and nine great-grandchildren: Zoe, Desiree, Phoenix, Jadyn, Brenna, Ezekiel, Hayden, Davrick, and Benjamin. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Vera Shoemate, his sister, Sammie Lee Shoemate; and his youngest son, Elbert Patrick Shoemate. Visitation will be held at Restwood Funeral Home Friday June 24, 2016 from at 6pm-8pm. Funeral Services will be held at Restwood Funeral Home Saturday June 25, 2016 at 9am.
© 2020 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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