Fredrick Lawrence "Rick" Shook

Fredrick Lawrence "Rick" Shook of Battle Creek, MI


Rick, age 69, died Monday morning, May 9, 2016 at his residence with his loving family at his side and following a courageous battle with cancer for the past seven weeks.

Rick, the son of Fredrick A. and Anita F. (VanAlstien) Shook, was born in Charlotte, MI on June 28, 1946 and was a 1965 graduate of Bellevue (MI) High School. He served his Country honorably and nobly during the Vietnam War in the United States Army as a SP5 with the 7th Army, 33rd Armor. Rick retired from Clark Equipment after 22 years of faithful service. He was an avid outdoorsman especially hunting and fishing; was a craftsman when it came to woodworking; was truly an artist with his drawings and loved playing his guitar. Rick was the consummate "Handyman" and his passion in life was his ten grandchildren.

Rick was united in marriage to the Jeri L. (nee: Walters) in Battle Creek on July 1, 1993. Surviving is his wife of 23 years; three daughters, Nikki L. (Richard) Potter of Hastings, MI, Rachael A. Claussen of Battle Creek and Brittany R. (Richard) Halstead of Charlotte; two sons, Chad W. (Cheryl) Shook of Hastings and Michael T. (Kate) Gillett of Fort Worth, TX; ten precious grandchildren, James, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Logan, Aden, Gabriel, Drew, Macaela, Amaya and Kaden; his mother, Anita Shook of Tekonsa, MI; his sister, Carol (Paul) Woods of Tekonsha and his brother, Alvin (Pam) Shook of Defiance, OH. Rick was preceded in death by his dad.

The Graveside Service to celebrate Rick's life will be held on Friday, May 13th at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI, with the United States Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full military honors. Rick's family will greet friends on Thursday, May 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rick's Honor may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division, 1400 West Milham Road, Portage, MI 49024.