Jack Shoemaker Obituary

Jack Stuart Shoemaker was born in Durango, CO, in December of 1929 to Oliver B. and Virginia A. Shoemaker. Elementary education was followed by Biblical studies in Canada, medical training at BIOLA, and linguistic orientation by the Summer Institute of Linguistics. Jack took his family to the Amazon jungle in Bolivia, where he and his wife analyzed the Ese'ejja language, prepared an education system for them, and provided training for them to meet their medical and commercial needs. Jack and Nola's four sons thoroughly enjoyed growing up in this unusual environment, while their parents ministered to this people group, and translated the Word of God into their language from 1959 - 1985. Upon returning to Colorado, Jack and Nola joined with the Ute Nation to translate important portions of the Word of God into their language as well. Jack's final years were spent in Tucson, Arizona, until October 1, 2024, when his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called him to Heaven. Jack's love for marginalized people, and his understanding of God's central desire to come into deep relationship with All men, made him a beacon of hope and acceptance to all who experienced the kindness with which he reached out to them. Father: Oliver B. Shoemaker; Mother: Virginia A. Shoemaker (Moore); sisters Elizabeth Shoemaker, Genevieve Bringhurst, and Evelyn Hunter; brother Oliver K. Shoemaker. Jack is survived by his older brother Oliver K Shoemaker; his four sons: Wesley (Julie A), Calvin (Lisa), Jack (Melissa) and Charles (Julie H); 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. Services for Jack will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Durango, with burial to follow at Greenmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Contributions may be made out to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, INC, and sent to: PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862. Please include a note stating it is for the Jack Stuart Shoemaker Memorial Fund. This memorial will go towards literacy and Bible translation work being accomplished by Wycliffe Bible Translators among a unique people group living in the jungles of Panama.