Robert Dean Shoemaker

Robert Dean Shoemaker passed away on October 11, 2019. We will celebrate his life of 85 years at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 25, 2019, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Friends are invited to share memories and expressions of sympathy for the family to cherish and view his’s life tribute at www.memorialdesigners.net.Robert Dean Shoemaker was born on January 30, 1934, to Lyle Shoemaker and Nellie Blanch (Worden) Suggs in Afton, Iowa. Robert married Mary Morris Shoemaker on May 21, 1955, in Alva, Oklahoma.Bob attended school in Tyson, Nebraska, Alva, Oklahoma, and graduated from Capron High School in Capron, Oklahoma in 1953. He worked on elevator construction until he joined the Army in 1956, serving 2 years at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. After the Army, he worked for Standard Oil Company (now Chevron) and worked there for 33 years until retiring in 1991. After retiring, Bob and Mary Lou moved to Lubbock, Texas to be closer to their children. Bob was a family man who loved to take his four children horseback riding and camping. He loved his animals and never went too long without a dog, most recently a Chinese pug, named Snoopy. Bob enjoyed watching football, always rooting for OU, the Patriots, or any team playing against the Dallas Cowboys. He always looked out for his neighbors, young and old, whether it was reminding you to close your garage door or carrying peppermints in his pocket for the neighborhood kids. He was a devout member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and always led the prayers at family meals, making sure to include every family member by name, and “the troops, wherever they may be.” Bob will be most remembered for his care and compassion. He always walked his family to their cars, no matter the weather, or how he was feeling, and prayed for them and their safety every night before bed.Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Shoemaker; two daughters, Terri Renee Downer, and husband, Bo; and Dawn Michelle Anders and husband, Reagan; two sons, Douglas Layne Shoemaker and wife, Allison; and Monte Robert Shoemaker and Rosser Kemp; five grandchildren, Charles Pat Downer III, Kathryn Paige Pierce and husband, Chad; Ryan Layne Shoemaker, Andrew Ross Shoemaker, and Kailey Michelle Bastinelli and husband, Mike; two great-grandchildren, Olivia Grace and Sophia Hope Pierce; three brothers, Richard Suggs and wife, Lisa; Michael Suggs, and Jonathan Shoemaker; two sisters, Jolene Lujan, and Tina Weatherly and husband, Bob.He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle Shoemaker and Nellie Suggs; daughter, Vicki Marie Shoemaker; sister, Carolyn Gumfory; and brother, Ronnie Shoemaker;