John R. Shields
OKLAHOMA CITY - John Robert Shields, Jr., 86, of LaGrange, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. John- or ‘Bob’ as he was known to his family, was born May 9, 1936, in Fon-du-Lac, Wisconsin. As a young boy, he grew up a ‘Navy Brat’, living in Wisconsin, Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois. He graduated from Lions Township High School in La Grange, Illinois in 1955 and attended college with a baseball scholarship. He graduated from Arizona State University and played Minor League Baseball briefly with the Cleveland Indians organization.
John also served in the U.S. Army during the height of the Cold War. Following training at the Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, John was assigned as a tank crewman with the 1st Armored Division. He was deployed in advance of the planned invasion of Cuba during the Missile Crisis in 1962. Following military service, he worked as a Regional and Division Sales Manager and National Buyer beginning with Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Chicago and similar sales positions in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Abilene, Texas, and Chicago.
In 1988, John married Judy McCarthey of Tuttle, Oklahoma. In 2005, they moved back to Oklahoma City from Chicago to be closer to family. During this time, John was instrumental in helping many people recover and maintain sobriety as a Mentor with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for over 22 years. John demonstrated selflessness and his love of sports coaching youth baseball and establishing a new youth football league in Western Springs, Illinois.
John was predeceased by his parents, Emma Voight and John R. Shields Sr.; son, Kevin Shields; and grandson, Andrew Jones. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy Shields; sister, Betsy Shields of Chicago; daughter, Leigh (Ed) Jones of Kansas City, MO; step-son, Brian (Vicki) Keller of Edmond, OK; step-daughter, Amy McWhirter of Oklahoma City; and grandchildren, Benjamin Jones, Mel Keller, Kleet Keller, and Dylan McWhirter.
The family would like to thank all of those who cared for him during his last days with us. John will be laid to rest during a private graveside service with family at 2pm on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Fairview Cemetery, Tuttle, Oklahoma.