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BORN
1920
DIED
2017
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Harold Shook Obituary
April 25, 1920-January 16, 2017
Cary
Col. (Ret.) Harold Graham Shook, 96, passed away on January 16, 2017. Hal began to realize his childhood dream of flying when, on his 21st birthday, he entered flight training for the Army Air Corp. He graduated just days after Pearl Harbor and remained in the states as an instructor pilot, further sharpening his flying skills. He was a career Air Force pilot and commander.
As the D-Day invasion neared, he was offered a squadron commander position and promoted to major while still only 23 years of age. He participated in three different combat theatres including leading a squadron of P-47's during the D-Day invasion, continuing in that position until the capture of Paris. He led 3 combat missions on D-Day and 3 more the following day. He finished his USAF career leading an Air Division during the Vietnam War.
In the WWII book Leap Off he was referred to as being "The best pilot in any man's air force." While commanding a combat squadron at such an early age, he learned and applied many valuable lessons which served him well over the balance of his Air Force career as well the civilian career to follow.
Following his successful military career, he applied the leadership lessons he had learned in the military in a second career of management and career consulting. Much of what he learned has come to be termed team building today, but was almost unheard of in the military of World War II. These lessons learned and applied during war time became the basis of his three books, Flying Spirit, Fighter Pilot Jazz and Christ in my Cockpit. They also served as the foundation of his business, Life Management Services, where he taught team building, career planning and leadership skills. He also remained active as a speaker discussing the role of air power in World War II, always emphasizing the point that "freedom is not free".
He will always be remembered as an incredible father and a truly kind and loving soul that never met a person he wouldn't help. He is survived by two of his four sons, Stephen Shook and William Shook as well as his 4 sons' wives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and his sister, Marion Wright. His two sons Michael and David predeceased him as well as his two wives Rae and Marilyn.
Services will be held at 11am on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at Hope Community Church, 821 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27606. Arrangements under the direction of Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd. Cary, NC, 27511. www.brownwynnecary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold Shook
Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.
David DeLoatche
April 20, 2024
I met Hal back in the early 90's. I moved him and his wife. Some of the nicest people i ever met. Hal gave me an autographed book and chatted with me about his flying days. I remember him telling me that he and some friend formed the Blue Angels and to this day they still use the flying formation that was the original one they designed. Out of the blue i googled Hal today hoping he was still alive and well. Thank you Hal for being such a kind person. It was a pleasure meeting you and chatting. Rest in peace my friend
Paul Wiggins
October 30, 2017
Best time of my life was meeting and flying with Col. Hal Shook in Louisiana and the 834th Air Division under Gen. William McBride! Thanks Colonel for the time of my life! The Hun was a great bird!
TINA JASTROW
October 19, 2017
What can I say about Colonel Hal Shook, he was a true hero in my eyes. I always felt honored to be in his presence. He always made me feel special an shared a lot of his stories with me. He was and will always be special to me. Miss you my dear friend.
Nicole Morris-Anastasi
May 7, 2017
Hal and Marilyn helped me through an incredibly hard time in my life, when I felt like I had no direction and didn't know how to fix it. Hal treated me with compassion and firm kindness. He and Marilyn showed me how to get myself out of the hole I was in and I will be forever grateful. Hal made a deep impression on my life. What a wonderful human being.
Chris Mitchell
May 7, 2017
I'll never forget the week I spent with you and your wife Marilyn, working on her book. You both taught me a lot about life in the brief time I knew you. Bless you both.
Phil Harding
April 18, 2017
I remember Falls Church in the early '60's. Wouldn't change a single thing.
Phil Harding
April 18, 2017
Hiya, Pal. Nice wings. You continue to ispire me. Thank you. Your Spirit lives on in all of us. Your're still flying.
Mike Wright
February 15, 2017
All of us here of the Wright family in California send our prayers and condolences to all of the Shook family. Meem, or Marion, our much loved Uncles little sister, Robin and Leon Skidmore, Janet and Mike Wright, and Hillary and Mark Simas , all nieces or nephews, share in this loss of our loved Uncle and my hero, along with my father Al, who grew up with Hal. I am so happy we were able to visit and bring Meem back east to see, hug, reminisce, and be with UNK, last year. My Air Force stint, my career field, and my life was changed due to the great counsel from Hal during the VietNam war. His visits, his books, his letters, and his phone calls always kept us close, along with his amazing positive Christ centered attitude. As I just finished my study of Secrets of the Vine and am now in the second group study of the prayer of Jabez, I am amazed at how his wise counsel stays alive, day to day. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Shook family during this time and we all know that the words spoken to him were : Well done good and faithful servant, come now and rest in the Lord
William Reece
February 13, 2017
Sincere condolences to Col. Shook's family. As a member of IPMS/Eagle Squadron it was my pleasure to know him and to have played a part in building a scale model of his wartime P-47. One of my fondest memories is spending an evening in his Normandy room enjoying his hospitality and listening to his stories. He thought he was thanking us, but we were awed by him and were just honored to have him give us his time. Col. Shook was a generous friend and a real gentleman. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Neil McClenney
February 8, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. There are many great things that can be said of Hal but I think what he would be most proud of was that he was a good husband and father, a kind man to others, and most importantly a faithful believer in God. Thank you for all the kindness you showed to our family.
Michael Reckmeyer
February 2, 2017
A true human. Top flight. He helped me realize my true potential as he did many others. Bless and protect.
Mary Cook
January 30, 2017
Heartfelt condolences to the Shook family. I know how much Hal Shook was loved by his family and a multitude of friends. He can rest in peace knowing that his legacy is being carried on by his sons and grandchildren - all of whom have the same integrity and capacity to love and help others as he did. Hal Shook will be missed, yet his spirit carries on. Many blessings on the Shook family.
Sally Mackie
January 30, 2017
My condolences on your loss. Hal was a remarkable and loving man. He will be missed.
Tom & Diane Hamm
January 30, 2017
We attended Hal's memorial service today. It was such a beautiful, memorable service. Hal's two sons did an extraordinary eulogy. We will miss Hal at Rex Wellness Center.
Lee Griffin
January 29, 2017
Hal Shook epitomizes what is best in humanity. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him and Marilyn. Condolences to family and friends. Blue skies and Godspeed, Colonel.
January 29, 2017
We are sorry to learn of Mr. Shook's passing. May all of you cherish the fond memories and good time that you shared while he was with you. Sincerely, Connie and Steve Washburn
Bob & Linda Locke
January 28, 2017
When we moved to North Carolina three years ago, we were lucky enough to sit right behind Marilyn & Hal Shook at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. They more than helped our transition to the new life in the south. His stories were so wonderful and I am thankful we are lucky enough to own both their books. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family now. Thanks for the memories.
January 28, 2017
Our condolences to all the Shook family from the Levesley family in England. Hearing of Hal's passing was very sad news for all our family. Hal and Marilyn were our first face to face contact with the 404th Fighter Group. Also with them was their son David and so when the introductions took place and we found we both had wives called Marilyn and sons called David it just clicked, a close relationship that lasted nearly 20 years. I'm rather lucky that I have a full signed and annotated set of his books and two limited edition prints Hal had produced. For the Levesley family it is the end of an era.
Hal was a warrior and loved the passage below that I sent him from John Bunyan's 17th century book the Pilgrim's Progress. It is the last words of one of the pilgrims, Mr Valiant for Truth a Christian warrior. I thought this passage was very much in line with Hal's belief.
John Levesley
Then said he, 'I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am.
My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it.
My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.'
So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side."
Mary Marshall
January 27, 2017
Oh Hal.......what a wonderful mark you left in this world! Not only did you always give God the glory for all of your remarkable accomplishments, but you and Marilyn were always such a sweet couple. So loving and devoted to one another, a perfect role model for your children, and actually when you think about it, there is a very good chance I would not be here today if it were not for you. During WWII you flew over our guys on the ground protecting them every inch of the way, and my Dad was one of those guys. So, if you had not been up there, my Dad may not have survived and I would not have been born! So, thank you for your service and thank you for my life. Your family is in my prayers.
January 27, 2017
Hal touched my life in many ways and I loved being in community with him at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary for the 12 years I was there. He was devoted, earnest, loving, and had such a great sense of adventure and humor. The world has lost a great man. Sally Harbold
January 26, 2017
To a truly great American, Patriot and friend. We can never thank you enough for all the sacrifices you made for all of us.
Steve Hodgin - Cary, NC
January 26, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort from the words at Psalm 116:15
TJ Fetch
January 26, 2017
Hal lead by example. He was the example of a true leader, a proud and wonderful father and husband and a wonderful friend. I absolutely loved the time I spent with him and will dearly miss him.
Robert Huddleston
January 26, 2017
A leader who truly earned his reputation. I was posted to his squadron after he had departed but the 506th continued along the path he had set. We younger pilots soon realized his spirit lived on."
Bob Huddleston, pilot
506th Fighter Squadron
404th Fighter Group
Anne G
January 25, 2017
What an amazing individual and inspiration! I was made aware of his accomplishments through my colleague, Bill. May Hal rest in peace.
Karen Bertaux
January 25, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the entire Shook family. I am so honored to have known Hal. A true hero in many ways. His infectious smile and unending kindness I will always remember. Prayers to all of you.
Frank & Anissa Williams
January 23, 2017
We will truly miss seeing Hal's smiling face. We have been blessed to know him for over 20 years. Family gatherings with the Shooks were always a treat in Hal's company. Our condolences and prayers go out to the entire Shook family.
Bob Surber
January 23, 2017
They don't make men like Col. Hal Shook anymore. We've lost another of the truly greatest generation.
My thoughts now are with the Shook family.
May you find peace knowing he is an American Hero.
Terry Babb
January 20, 2017
The finest and most influential gentlemen I have ever known. Farewell my friend and WWII Fighter Pilot - a true American Hero.
Brent Wood
January 19, 2017
I met Hal Shook at St. Paul's Episcopal Church - where we both attended - about 15 years ago. I was instantly struck with this man who had survived wars and the struggles of life, but always had a smile on his face. And one of the many great things about Hal is that he was never afraid to tell anyone that the smile on his face resulted from grace that Christ gave to him. As a result, Hal was - as much as anyone I have ever personally known - a true disciple of Christ. While I am sad to know that he is no longer on this earth, I am happy knowing that Hal is with his Savior as well as other friends and family members that predeceased him. I will never forget Colonel Hal Shook, who was and remains a hero to me.
Curtis Leary
January 18, 2017
The members of Cary American Legion Post 67 of which Hal was a long time member expresses our sincere condolences to the family. Hal was a wonderful person, a war hero and a great friend. We will miss him.
Kathleen & Steve Volandt
January 18, 2017
We hold Col Hal Shook and the entire Shook family in utmost respect and admiration. Our deepest condolences to the Shook family with the passing of your beloved patriarch. We will fiercely miss him yet rejoice that he is home and happy. With all our love and blessings. Steve and Kathleen Volandt
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