Ewing Shotwell, Jr., of San Antonio, age 61, died Christmas Eve at his home in Bexar County, Texas. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 28th at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Universal City with Rev. David Renwick officiating. Burial with full military honors followed at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Mr. Shotwell was a native of Cooke County, Texas where he attended public schools. In his early years he had grown up on the farm of his grandparents, James “Jim” and Ella Abel Smith of the Bulcher community before moving to Gainesville. As a very young fellow he rode an old swayback horse to school with his young aunts and cousins. Both Bulcher and Gainesville are located just south of the Red River in the Red River Cotton Belt and north and east of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Basin - a land of black soil with an abundance of streams and gently rolling hills. Mr. Shotwell was known in Cooke County by his friends and numerous relatives as “Jack.” His parents divorced when he was very small so his step-father, Luther Morris of Gainesville, became the only father he ever really knew.
Too young to enter World War II he entered the Army Air Corp during the aftermath of the War in the Pacific. He came to serve in the drafting division of the Civil Engineers. His twenty years’ service in the U.S. Air Force included having served in the Pacific during the Korean War and later in the Vietnam War. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. retired with the rank of Master Sergeant with several medals and distinguished citations. He was credited as having saved the Air Force many thousands of dollars. His commanding officer, Colonel Fred M. “Buck” Gannon, stated on the record that he had never come across a non-commissioned officer with such decorum, ability and natural commanding manner as Ewing Shotwell, Jr. Colonel Gannon stated further that he highly recommended him for Officer’s Candidate School. However, that was not to be. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. experienced the tragic loss of his marriage and family through a divorce of his own choosing. His family remained in Louisiana. He was reassigned to Vietnam. After serving several tours of duty in Vietnam he retired from the Air Force. Mr. Shotwell afterwards became Equipment and Facilities Manager for the Army Air Force Exchange Service at Eglin Air Force Base located off the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. He served in that capacity along with various other positions of extensive responsibility, serving the Exchange in Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; the Alamo Exchange in San Antonio; and Ft. Gillem in Forest Park, Ga., where he was Chief of Engineering for Distribution covering the eastern half of the United States, Alaska and Panama. He had also been called on to go to Europe, on ocassion, in connection with the Exchange. Due to ill health, Mr. Shotwell retired from a very successful career with the Army Air Force Exchange Service after 21 years of service.
Mr. Shotwell was a member of the Presbyterian church (PCUS) and was associated with John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Windcrest near his home. He enjoyed boating and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He was an excellent marksman but having put down his rifle and shotgun in early middle age he did not rekindle his desire to hunt except for a brief period in his later years. He had taken up golf late in life as well as flying small engine planes before a health condition prevented him from any further flying.
He held to his own opinions in politics and chose not to be outspoken in either politics or religion. He followed the tradition of his forefathers who were fairly conservative to moderate Texas Southern Democrats. However, it is pretty much certain that he would not have held to the radical and extremist positions which that party has come to embrace today. He was well read and could converse on a wide variety of subjects as he had a broad range of knowledge and interests.
Surviving him were his wife, Coretta Shackelford Shotwell of San Antonio (formerly of Minden, La.); two sons of his previous marriage to Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, La.; Michael E. Shotwell and Gary N. Shotwell, both of East Feliciana Parish, La.; and one daughter, of his previous marriage, Bronya Lou Shotwell Wilcken of Loveland, Colo.; one stepson, Robert Michael Tatom; two stepdaughters, Susan Tatom Anderson and Debra Tatom Wile; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie S. Morris Harps of Myra, Texas and step-father, Luther T. Morris.
The bond of blood and love between a father and his sons and daughter, though greatly strained, could not be extinguished - no matter the distance, no matter the years, and in spite of circumstances. During his last days of rapidly declining health he sought to rectify much as best he could with the short time he had left. His daughter and two sons were ever grateful for that.
Mr. Shotwell was a native of Cooke County, Texas where he attended public schools. In his early years he had grown up on the farm of his grandparents, James “Jim” and Ella Abel Smith of the Bulcher community before moving to Gainesville. As a very young fellow he rode an old swayback horse to school with his young aunts and cousins. Both Bulcher and Gainesville are located just south of the Red River in the Red River Cotton Belt and north and east of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Basin - a land of black soil with an abundance of streams and gently rolling hills. Mr. Shotwell was known in Cooke County by his friends and numerous relatives as “Jack.” His parents divorced when he was very small so his step-father, Luther Morris of Gainesville, became the only father he ever really knew.
Too young to enter World War II he entered the Army Air Corp during the aftermath of the War in the Pacific. He came to serve in the drafting division of the Civil Engineers. His twenty years’ service in the U.S. Air Force included having served in the Pacific during the Korean War and later in the Vietnam War. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. retired with the rank of Master Sergeant with several medals and distinguished citations. He was credited as having saved the Air Force many thousands of dollars. His commanding officer, Colonel Fred M. “Buck” Gannon, stated on the record that he had never come across a non-commissioned officer with such decorum, ability and natural commanding manner as Ewing Shotwell, Jr. Colonel Gannon stated further that he highly recommended him for Officer’s Candidate School. However, that was not to be. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. experienced the tragic loss of his marriage and family through a divorce of his own choosing. His family remained in Louisiana. He was reassigned to Vietnam. After serving several tours of duty in Vietnam he retired from the Air Force. Mr. Shotwell afterwards became Equipment and Facilities Manager for the Army Air Force Exchange Service at Eglin Air Force Base located off the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. He served in that capacity along with various other positions of extensive responsibility, serving the Exchange in Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; the Alamo Exchange in San Antonio; and Ft. Gillem in Forest Park, Ga., where he was Chief of Engineering for Distribution covering the eastern half of the United States, Alaska and Panama. He had also been called on to go to Europe, on ocassion, in connection with the Exchange. Due to ill health, Mr. Shotwell retired from a very successful career with the Army Air Force Exchange Service after 21 years of service.
Mr. Shotwell was a member of the Presbyterian church (PCUS) and was associated with John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Windcrest near his home. He enjoyed boating and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He was an excellent marksman but having put down his rifle and shotgun in early middle age he did not rekindle his desire to hunt except for a brief period in his later years. He had taken up golf late in life as well as flying small engine planes before a health condition prevented him from any further flying.
He held to his own opinions in politics and chose not to be outspoken in either politics or religion. He followed the tradition of his forefathers who were fairly conservative to moderate Texas Southern Democrats. However, it is pretty much certain that he would not have held to the radical and extremist positions which that party has come to embrace today. He was well read and could converse on a wide variety of subjects as he had a broad range of knowledge and interests.
Surviving him were his wife, Coretta Shackelford Shotwell of San Antonio (formerly of Minden, La.); two sons of his previous marriage to Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, La.; Michael E. Shotwell and Gary N. Shotwell, both of East Feliciana Parish, La.; and one daughter, of his previous marriage, Bronya Lou Shotwell Wilcken of Loveland, Colo.; one stepson, Robert Michael Tatom; two stepdaughters, Susan Tatom Anderson and Debra Tatom Wile; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie S. Morris Harps of Myra, Texas and step-father, Luther T. Morris.
The bond of blood and love between a father and his sons and daughter, though greatly strained, could not be extinguished - no matter the distance, no matter the years, and in spite of circumstances. During his last days of rapidly declining health he sought to rectify much as best he could with the short time he had left. His daughter and two sons were ever grateful for that.
Ewing Shotwell, Jr., of San Antonio, age 61, died Christmas Eve at his home in Bexar County, Texas. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 28th at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Universal City with Rev. David Renwick officiating. Burial with full military honors followed at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Mr. Shotwell was a native of Cooke County, Texas where he attended public schools. In his early years he had grown up on the farm of his grandparents, James “Jim” and Ella Abel Smith of the Bulcher community before moving to Gainesville. As a very young fellow he rode an old swayback horse to school with his young aunts and cousins. Both Bulcher and Gainesville are located just south of the Red River in the Red River Cotton Belt and north and east of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Basin - a land of black soil with an abundance of streams and gently rolling hills. Mr. Shotwell was known in Cooke County by his friends and numerous relatives as “Jack.” His parents divorced when he was very small so his step-father, Luther Morris of Gainesville, became the only father he ever really knew.
Too young to enter World War II he entered the Army Air Corp during the aftermath of the War in the Pacific. He came to serve in the drafting division of the Civil Engineers. His twenty years’ service in the U.S. Air Force included having served in the Pacific during the Korean War and later in the Vietnam War. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. retired with the rank of Master Sergeant with several medals and distinguished citations. He was credited as having saved the Air Force many thousands of dollars. His commanding officer, Colonel Fred M. “Buck” Gannon, stated on the record that he had never come across a non-commissioned officer with such decorum, ability and natural commanding manner as Ewing Shotwell, Jr. Colonel Gannon stated further that he highly recommended him for Officer’s Candidate School. However, that was not to be. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. experienced the tragic loss of his marriage and family through a divorce of his own choosing. His family remained in Louisiana. He was reassigned to Vietnam. After serving several tours of duty in Vietnam he retired from the Air Force. Mr. Shotwell afterwards became Equipment and Facilities Manager for the Army Air Force Exchange Service at Eglin Air Force Base located off the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. He served in that capacity along with various other positions of extensive responsibility, serving the Exchange in Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; the Alamo Exchange in San Antonio; and Ft. Gillem in Forest Park, Ga., where he was Chief of Engineering for Distribution covering the eastern half of the United States, Alaska and Panama. He had also been called on to go to Europe, on ocassion, in connection with the Exchange. Due to ill health, Mr. Shotwell retired from a very successful career with the Army Air Force Exchange Service after 21 years of service.
Mr. Shotwell was a member of the Presbyterian church (PCUS) and was associated with John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Windcrest near his home. He enjoyed boating and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He was an excellent marksman but having put down his rifle and shotgun in early middle age he did not rekindle his desire to hunt except for a brief period in his later years. He had taken up golf late in life as well as flying small engine planes before a health condition prevented him from any further flying.
He held to his own opinions in politics and chose not to be outspoken in either politics or religion. He followed the tradition of his forefathers who were fairly conservative to moderate Texas Southern Democrats. However, it is pretty much certain that he would not have held to the radical and extremist positions which that party has come to embrace today. He was well read and could converse on a wide variety of subjects as he had a broad range of knowledge and interests.
Surviving him were his wife, Coretta Shackelford Shotwell of San Antonio (formerly of Minden, La.); two sons of his previous marriage to Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, La.; Michael E. Shotwell and Gary N. Shotwell, both of East Feliciana Parish, La.; and one daughter, of his previous marriage, Bronya Lou Shotwell Wilcken of Loveland, Colo.; one stepson, Robert Michael Tatom; two stepdaughters, Susan Tatom Anderson and Debra Tatom Wile; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie S. Morris Harps of Myra, Texas and step-father, Luther T. Morris.
The bond of blood and love between a father and his sons and daughter, though greatly strained, could not be extinguished - no matter the distance, no matter the years, and in spite of circumstances. During his last days of rapidly declining health he sought to rectify much as best he could with the short time he had left. His daughter and two sons were ever grateful for that.
Mr. Shotwell was a native of Cooke County, Texas where he attended public schools. In his early years he had grown up on the farm of his grandparents, James “Jim” and Ella Abel Smith of the Bulcher community before moving to Gainesville. As a very young fellow he rode an old swayback horse to school with his young aunts and cousins. Both Bulcher and Gainesville are located just south of the Red River in the Red River Cotton Belt and north and east of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Basin - a land of black soil with an abundance of streams and gently rolling hills. Mr. Shotwell was known in Cooke County by his friends and numerous relatives as “Jack.” His parents divorced when he was very small so his step-father, Luther Morris of Gainesville, became the only father he ever really knew.
Too young to enter World War II he entered the Army Air Corp during the aftermath of the War in the Pacific. He came to serve in the drafting division of the Civil Engineers. His twenty years’ service in the U.S. Air Force included having served in the Pacific during the Korean War and later in the Vietnam War. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. retired with the rank of Master Sergeant with several medals and distinguished citations. He was credited as having saved the Air Force many thousands of dollars. His commanding officer, Colonel Fred M. “Buck” Gannon, stated on the record that he had never come across a non-commissioned officer with such decorum, ability and natural commanding manner as Ewing Shotwell, Jr. Colonel Gannon stated further that he highly recommended him for Officer’s Candidate School. However, that was not to be. Ewing Shotwell, Jr. experienced the tragic loss of his marriage and family through a divorce of his own choosing. His family remained in Louisiana. He was reassigned to Vietnam. After serving several tours of duty in Vietnam he retired from the Air Force. Mr. Shotwell afterwards became Equipment and Facilities Manager for the Army Air Force Exchange Service at Eglin Air Force Base located off the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. He served in that capacity along with various other positions of extensive responsibility, serving the Exchange in Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; the Alamo Exchange in San Antonio; and Ft. Gillem in Forest Park, Ga., where he was Chief of Engineering for Distribution covering the eastern half of the United States, Alaska and Panama. He had also been called on to go to Europe, on ocassion, in connection with the Exchange. Due to ill health, Mr. Shotwell retired from a very successful career with the Army Air Force Exchange Service after 21 years of service.
Mr. Shotwell was a member of the Presbyterian church (PCUS) and was associated with John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Windcrest near his home. He enjoyed boating and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He was an excellent marksman but having put down his rifle and shotgun in early middle age he did not rekindle his desire to hunt except for a brief period in his later years. He had taken up golf late in life as well as flying small engine planes before a health condition prevented him from any further flying.
He held to his own opinions in politics and chose not to be outspoken in either politics or religion. He followed the tradition of his forefathers who were fairly conservative to moderate Texas Southern Democrats. However, it is pretty much certain that he would not have held to the radical and extremist positions which that party has come to embrace today. He was well read and could converse on a wide variety of subjects as he had a broad range of knowledge and interests.
Surviving him were his wife, Coretta Shackelford Shotwell of San Antonio (formerly of Minden, La.); two sons of his previous marriage to Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, La.; Michael E. Shotwell and Gary N. Shotwell, both of East Feliciana Parish, La.; and one daughter, of his previous marriage, Bronya Lou Shotwell Wilcken of Loveland, Colo.; one stepson, Robert Michael Tatom; two stepdaughters, Susan Tatom Anderson and Debra Tatom Wile; and ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Effie S. Morris Harps of Myra, Texas and step-father, Luther T. Morris.
The bond of blood and love between a father and his sons and daughter, though greatly strained, could not be extinguished - no matter the distance, no matter the years, and in spite of circumstances. During his last days of rapidly declining health he sought to rectify much as best he could with the short time he had left. His daughter and two sons were ever grateful for that.
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