Robert Shockley

A memorial service for Robert A. Shockley, who died in Petersburg, Va., on February 14, 2009, is scheduled at Sackets Harbor Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 11 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Adele Spencer officiating. He and his wife had recently moved to Disputanta, Va., from Watertown and Sackets Harbor.

Born in Apalachee, Ga. on Jan. 14, 1936, the eldest son of W. Govan and Emily Bryan Shockley, he spent his early years in the care of his maternal grandparents. After graduating from high school in 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, resigning in September 1979. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Korean War and was a POW in Korea. He was an automotive repairman and an electronic technician with 22 years of service, retiring honorably as a sergeant first class.

On October 29, 1979, he married Lyda Liscum Shambo at Hope Presbyterian Church, Watertown, N.Y., a second marriage for both. He retired in May 1998 as a civilian employee at Fort Drum, N.Y. He was a member of the Sackets Harbor Presbyterian Church, serving as both an elder and president of the congregation. Also a member of the American Legion Post 1757, Sackets Harbor, a past master of Sackets Harbor Lodge F and AM, and past potentate of Media Shrine Center, Watertown, and a member of the Watertown Commandery #11, Knight Templar. He enjoyed cooking, especially for family gatherings, gardening, woodworking and involvement in many community civic activities.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons: Stephen E. Shockley (Watertown), Robert Leslie Shockley (Chaumont) ; Six stepchildren: Douglas C. Shambo II (St. Paul, M.N.), Dale J. Shambo (Watertown), Daniel L. Shambo (Waterbury, C.T.), Mrs. L. Gene (Kimberly ) Cone (Columbus, Ga.), David E. Shambo ( Niceville, Fl.) and Lyda A. Shambo (New York, N.Y.). Also surviving are two brothers: William Shockley (Macon, Ga.), Govan Shockley (Milledge, Ga.) and four sisters: Nelda and Virginia Vaughn (Philomath, Ga), Mrs. Larry (Sophia) Peavy (Milledgeville, Ga.) and Mrs. Dennis (Sheri) Mahar (McKinney, Tx.) and his stepmother Lolita N. Shockley (Milledgeville, Ga.), also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He has six grandchildren: Danielle Shockley, Melissa and Kaitlynne Cone, Brody E. Shambo and twins Isabella and Alexis Shambo. His parents and a brother, David Shockley, died before him.