Fred Shoemake

Fred Shoemake, 80, of Silsbee, died Tuesday, March 5, 2019. He was born on December 15, 1938, in Baytown, to Vivian Beatrice Shoemake and James Shoemake. Fred proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and later worked as a locomotive engineer with Santa Fe.

Fred was a man of many talents and hobbies. Growing up in Ferriday, Louisiana, he learned to hunt and fish with his dad and cousins. While he lived in Galveston, he scuba dived. He was an excellent marksman and competed in the ROTC. Fred was honored with a marine trophy for outstanding marksman. He achieved that twice and the trophy still remains in Ball High School today.

Fred met the love of his life, Agnes, and they soon married and began their life in Galveston. Fred then joined the United States Air Force. The military took him to San Antonio, South Carolina, and beautiful California. He was given orders to go to Turkey, where he worked as a crypto tech. He often tells the story that his job was so secretive, that even he didn’t know what he did! Fred said he was on the tip of the Spear during the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy was assassinated while he was overseas. Only Fred and one other man would talk to the Pentagon twice a day. Fred was very proud of his service to his country.

Fred was a history buff and was especially drawn to anything about World War II. He loved the old fighter planes.

He loved to make friends and talk to people. He got his ham radio license when he was in school and maintained his license for sixty-five years. His call letters were K5BGZ. Fred enjoyed talking to people all over the world.

Agnes and Fred were blessed with three daughters. He joined the railroad and moved his family several times before ending up in Silsbee.

He decided to go to school and become a locomotive engineer. He worked for Santa Fe until 1990. Fred opened a TV, VCR, and Computer repair shop and operated Comtec electronics for almost ten years. They retired and Fred continued enjoying his hobbies.

Fred was always involved with something he loved. Through the years he collected guns and was an avid fisherman. He fished a great deal when the family lived in Gainesville. Fred was always looking for the next big bass! He even made his own lures. Fred collected guns and made his own bullets, too. While in his mid-thirties, his proudest accomplishment was teaching himself how to play the five-string banjo. He became so proficient, he eventually taught banjo lessons. He played in a bluegrass band, The Yeller Dawgs, for sixteen years. Fred also built banjos, including designing and cutting out mother of pearl inlay for the neck. Fred enjoyed traveling to bluegrass festivals and camping with the family.

Fred loved to cook and was known for his cornbread dressing. One of the family favorites was homemade enchiladas.

His other past times were reading westerns, taking pictures, and he even wrote a song about the 1900 storm in Galveston. He definitely lived a rich and fulfilling life. Fred will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Agnes Shoemake; daughters, Rhonda Kay and her husband, Don; and Brenda Shoemake, all of Silsbee; and Jamie Utley and her husband, Cliff, of Vidor; grandchildren, Haydon Kay; Robert Kay; Brandon Kay and his wife, Jamie; Stephanye Stewart and her husband, Josh; and Justin West; and great-grandchildren, Riley Kay, Mason Stewart, Lucas Stewart, and Makenzie Kay. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A gathering of Fred’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2019, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Hardin Memorial Park, Silsbee.