John Shelburne, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and devoted servant to his community, was born February 2, 1949, in Hobart, Oklahoma. He passed into the presence of the Lord on September 24, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.

John grew up in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, where he attended Lone Wolf High School and graduated in 1967. Shortly after graduation, John married the love of his life, Vicki. Their marriage marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership built on love, faith, family, and an unwavering commitment to one another. In August 2026, they celebrated 59 years of marriage. Together, they built a life filled with family, service, hard work, and countless memories.

Following high school, John enrolled at H.L. Lewis Electronics School in Oklahoma City, where he graduated at the top of his class. His talent, determination, and natural ability with electronics soon led him to Fort Worth, Texas, where he accepted a position with General Dynamics. There, he worked installing missile guidance systems and radar equipment on F-111 fighter jets.

In 1969, John answered Uncle Sam’s call and enlisted in the United States Army. His time in the Army was another chapter in a life defined by service, responsibility, and a willingness to do whatever was asked of him.

After completing his military service, John returned to Lone Wolf, where he pursued his master electrician’s license and eventually opened his own business, Shelburne Electric. He successfully operated the company for several years, establishing a reputation for hard work, honesty, and doing a job the right way.

In 1976, an opportunity arose to move to Goodwell, Oklahoma. John and Vicki packed up their family and headed west to the Oklahoma Panhandle, beginning a new chapter that would ultimately make Goodwell their home and community for decades to come. John joined Panhandle State University as head electrician, where his skills and dedication served the university, its students, and its staff.

In the late 1980’s, John accepted a position with Mobil Oil Corporation as a field electrician. His career with Mobil, and later ExxonMobil, spanned over 30 years. Over the course of his career, John held numerous positions and continued to grow professionally, eventually serving as a government environmental coordinator and safety trainer. Even after retiring in 2009, John wasn’t quite ready to slow down. He briefly continued working as a safety consultant for ExxonMobil, traveling extensively throughout the United States to train and audit field offices.

John’s love of electronics extended well beyond his professional life. In the 1980s, he sold and installed satellite receivers for Birdview Satellite, embracing the emerging technology and sharing his knowledge with others. He had a natural curiosity about how things worked and a gift for figuring out how to make them work better. His family lovingly called him “Gadget Guy”.

While John was proud of his career and the work he accomplished, his greatest impact could be found in the service he gave to others.

Throughout his years in Goodwell, John became a valued and trusted member of the community. He was a man who believed in showing up, lending a hand, and giving back whenever he could. He became a member of the Fraternal Order of the Masonic Lodge and earned the distinction of 32nd Degree Mason.

John also served his community through the Goodwell Volunteer Fire Department, where he earned his Firefighter I certification. His desire to help others led him to the ambulance service as well, where he earned his Advanced EMT certification. Whether responding to a fire, answering an emergency call, serving on a board, or simply helping a neighbor, John gave his time freely and without seeking recognition.

His commitment to the community extended to education and local organizations. He served for many years on the Goodwell School Board and also served as a board member of the Rural Telecommunications Board and the Texas County Baseball Association Board.

Above all, John’s faith was an important part of his life.

He was a longtime member of Goodwell United Methodist Church, where he served on various boards and ministries and served as a lay speaker. He was also deeply involved with Methodist Men. During the 1980s, John and Vicki served together as youth pastors, investing their time and hearts in young people and helping guide them through their formative years.

For John, faith was not simply something he talked about—it was something he lived. His life reflected a belief in serving others, caring for his neighbors, being there when people needed him, and leaving every place a little better than he found it.

John’s life was one of service, but it was also a life centered around the people he loved. He was a devoted husband to Vicki, a loving father, and a proud grandfather. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them.

John loved working with his hands and was particularly passionate about woodworking and electronics. While his children were growing up, he built a custom audio cabinet and speakers, a project that combined two of the things he loved most: building something with his own hands and making electronics work. He was especially proud of that project, and it remains one of the many tangible reminders of his creativity, skill, and willingness to take on a challenge.

John especially found joy in being an involved grandfather. One of the things he was most proud of was helping raise his grandchildren and being present for the everyday moments that mattered. When his grandson, Grady, was an infant, John and Vicki moved to be closer to their family so they could help care for him. From those early days through Grady’s kindergarten years, John was a constant and loving presence in his life.

John took Grady everywhere with him. He taught him how to work with tools, how to fix things, and how to approach a job with patience and determination. Through those years, John passed along much more than practical skills—he passed along his time, his knowledge, his work ethic, and his love. Grady is now 16, but the lessons and memories his grandfather gave him will remain with him for the rest of his life.

Those who knew John will remember his steady presence, his willingness to help, his strong work ethic, and the way he could be counted on when it mattered most. His family will remember something even more important: a husband and father who loved deeply, a grandfather who made time for his grandchildren, and a man who took great pride in passing his knowledge, skills, and values on to the next generation.

He leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by the jobs he held, the organizations he served, or the titles he earned. His greatest legacy lives on in the people he loved, the lives he touched, the young people he mentored, the neighbors he helped, and the community he faithfully served.

John Shelburne lived a life of purpose. He worked hard, served faithfully, loved deeply, and gave generously of himself. His absence will be deeply felt, but the example he set and the memories he created will remain with his family, friends, and community for generations to come.

His was a life well lived—a life of service, a life of faith, and above all, a life of Christian love.

Survived by: wife of 59 years, Vicki Knox Shelburne of Valley View; daughter Margaret Shelburne of Wooster, OH; son William “Billy” Shelburne (Tracie) of Valley View; grandchildren Shelby Reed, Camrie Shelburne, and Grady Shelburne; brother Jim Shelburne (Vickie) of Durant, OK; brother Larry Shelburne (Janice) of Tulsa, OK; sister Linda Helwer of Lone Wolf, OK; sister-in-law Vanessa Trolinger of Yukon, OK; and brother-in-law Jim Knox (Paula) of Skiatook, OK.

Predeceased by: mother Lucille (Hudson) Meinert; father John Milton Shelburne, Sr.; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bill and Margaret Knox; brother Joe Patrick Shelburne; brother-in-law Lurman Helwer; and grandson Jonah Addison Shelburne.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, Gainesville, TX. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at Valley View United Methodist Church, Valley View, TX. A committal service is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at Alex Cemetery, Alex, OK under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home, Chickasha, Oklahoma. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, or towards Alzheimer’s Research.