Mr. Jesse W. Shaddix passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the age of 87. He was born on May 5, 1925 to the late William James Shaddix and Ida Pearl Lashley Shaddix.
Mr. Shaddix graduated from Lanett High School in 1943 and joined the Army-Air Force. While on basic training at Keesler Air Force base, he married his high school sweetheart, Rachel Ernestine Gay, on October 4, 1943. After World War II, he attended Auburn University and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies and Physical Education and a Masters in School Administration.
From 1949 until 1954, Mr. Shaddix was a Social Studies Teacher and Athletic Director, Head Football, Basketball and Baseball Coach at R.E. Lee Institute in Thomaston, Ga. In 1954 he moved to Fulton County where he was employed by the Fulton County School System until his retirement in 1986. He held various positions while employed by the FCSS including teaching and coaching at College Park High School and Lakeshore High School, Assistant Principal at Eva L. Thomas High School and Russell High School in East Point, Principal at Hapeville High School (1971-72) and Russell High School (1972-1986).
Mr. Shaddix not only stressed the importance of being a life-long learner to his students but demonstrated it throughout his life. He attended various military schools including the Air War College at Air University, Maxwell AFC, Al., 1967 and the National War College, Department of Defense, Washington, D.C. in 1976. He also attended Law School, became an attorney and obtained his Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership at Georgia State University.
Mr. Shaddix had many accomplishments during his lifetime including: Coach of the Year, GA High School Association in Basketball in 1959; Georgia Director of Babe Ruth Baseball 1958-1960; Southeastern Director of Babe Ruth Baseball, 1962-1964; Georgia Reserve Officer of the Year in 1975; and selected as Moderator at the National War College National Strategy Seminar in 1975. Mr. Shaddix retired as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. He was also an avid reader of biographies and politics and enjoyed watching sports on T.V.
Mr. Shaddix is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ernestine “Teenie”; son, James Stephen Shaddix, daughter-in-law, Sue of Tyrone, Ga.; daughter Susan McCollum, son-in-law, Jay of Demorest, Ga.; daughter Peggy Roy, son-in-law Leland of Tyrone, Ga.; daughter Nancy Pickering, son-in-law John David of Missoula, Mt; daughter Linda Mitchell, son-in-law Scott of Riverdale, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grand-children; brother, Herman W. Shaddix and sister-in-law Louise of Panama City, Fla. and numerous nephews.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Tyrone First Baptist Church. The burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Gardens, Tyrone. The family received friends Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Carl J. Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville.
Those desiring may make donations to Wounded Warrior Project, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, #M20, Atlanta, Ga. 30326 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Carl J. Mowell & Son, Fayetteville –
