Shoulders, John Francis
John Francis Shoulders, 89, of Blacksburg, Virginia died Wednesday, December 9, 2009. He was born January 12, 1920 in Horner, West Virginia, the son of the late Charles J. and Aeleta Van Tromp Shoulders.
Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Ruth Shaffer Shoulders. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Lea Hartman. Surviving are Mary Lea’s husband, Walker Hartman of Roanoke, Virginia, and his children, Sarah Hartman of Charleston, South Carolina, Mark Hartman of Santa Clara, California and Lori McCooke of Ireland; son and daughter-in-law, John Jr. and Catherine Shoulders of Roanoke, Virginia and their children, Cristen Mugford of Durham, North Carolina, David Shoulders of Richmond, Virginia and Matthew Shoulders of Roanoke, Virginia; daughter, Susan Shoulders of Blacksburg, Virginia; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Alberta Shoulders and their children, Kara, Keith, James and Luke Shoulders of Santa Rosa, California.
A World War II veteran, Mr. Shoulders served with the Marines in the Pacific as Ordnance Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 314, and participated in the Battle for Okinawa. Following the war he remained in the Marine Reserve, retiring in 1980 at the rank of Major. Prior to moving to Virginia, he served as County Agricultural Agent of Lincoln County, West Virginia. In 1952, he accepted a position as the first Extension Pasture and Forage Specialist at Virginia Tech, which also included work with turfgrass. As the demand for more educational work with turf increased, Professor Shoulders assumed the newly-created position of Extension Agronomist in turfgrass management. As a turfgrass specialist, Professor Shoulders made significant contributions in both forage and turfgrass management. He introduced the 12-month Forage Program to farmers across Virginia and worked to improve both yield and quality of forages for livestock. He initiated and directed the Virginia Tech Turf Field Days and the Virginia Turfgrass Conference for 20 years prior to his retirement. He also organized and conducted the Turf Management Winter Short Course at Virginia Tech for several years. He was active in National and International Professional Societies, having served as chair of the Turfgrass Division of Crop Science Society of America and Secretary of the International Turfgrass Society. He was a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy and also in the Crop Science Society of America, and was a recipient of a Distinguished Service Award for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Mr. Shoulders was active in community work. He was a member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church for more than 57 years, serving as a deacon and elder and in numerous other capacities.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg. Graveside service will be held 1 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 at Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.