Obituary of Richard Michael Shanklin

Richard Michael (Mike) Shanklin of Bedford, TX, passed away peacefully at Universal Health Services in Ft. Worth, TX, on October 31, 2020, at 1:31 p.m., surrounded by his wife of 24 years and two daughters. Born in Houston, TX, June 18, 1951, Mike was the first of four children for his parents Carroll Jones (Shank) Shanklin and Patricia Stewart (Patsy) Shanklin. He attended Grapevine High School, Class of 1969, where he played football and basketball for the fighting Mustangs. After high school, he went on to serve in the United States Air Force. After his military service, Mike returned home from North Carolina and was accepted into the fire academy for Hurst Fire Department. His firefighting career began working on an engine and eventually saw him working as an EMT for the department. In the 1980’s, Mike left the fire department and went into business for himself as co-owner of R&M Fence Company with high school friend Randy Sanders. Eventually, Mike returned to school and earned a degree in physical therapy from Tarrant County Junior College. Working at Mid-Cities Physical Therapy as a PT Assistant, Mike met his wife Lupe Quintanilla and knew they were soulmates. They were married June 22, 1996, and spent many years sharing their love of westerns, country music, Texas Rangers Baseball, and traveling to the Hill Country. Mike was a loving father and grandfather who doted over “his girls,” instilling in them his life lessons, deep morals, and outrageous sense of humor. In his free time, Mike loved reading books on anything from historical events to people he admired to classical westerns. He was an avid movie buff and could name almost any actor on sight. He enjoyed playing golf as well as attending the Colonial Golf Tournament and watching his favorite players on TV. He also enjoyed watching college football and the Little League World Series as to him it was about the love of the game. A natural handyman, he enjoyed spending time tinkering in his garage or working on remodeling projects around the house. Whether it was plumbing, electrical, tiling, painting, or woodwork, there was no job too daunting to take on. Mike was loved by many, and his family always held a very special place in his heart as did his lifelong friends. His mother having a twin sister, Marie Stewart Stevens, he always said his cousins were more like a brother and sister. A wonderful storyteller with a long memory, he would regale his listeners with tales from his youth and family adventures that would often leave you in stitches. He was proud of his family heritage, and his admiration always shown through when he would recount times past or share news of current events and achievements of those he loved. He is survived by his wife, Lupe Quintanilla Shanklin; daughter, Lisa Shanklin Womack and husband Kel; with grandchildren, Emily and Thomas Melvin and Travis, Seth, and Emily Womack; daughter, Kelly Shanklin Rhoads and husband Elliott; with grandson, Evan Rhoads; step-daughter, Samantha Bean Journey and husband Andrew; with granddaughter, Eva Journey; brother, Larry Glen Shanklin and wife Sharen; sister, Carol Shanklin Neff and partner Brad; with nephews, Michael and Brandon Neff; brother, Benjamin Scott Shanklin and wife Cindy; with niece, Lindsey Shanklin Matthews; and nephew, Tyler Shanklin; and his cousins, Linda Stevens, David Stevens, and Debbie Reynolds. He is preceded in death by his father Carroll Jones (Shank) Shanklin, uncle David Stevens, aunt Marie Stewart Stevens, and brother-in-law Bill Neff. Mike’s mother Patricia Stewart (Patsy) Shanklin, joined him in Heaven a mere 12 hours after leaving his earthly home. A charity close to his heart was Scottish Rite for which he received recognition as a lifelong donor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to this charity in his honor if desired. https://secure3.convio.net/tsrh/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app326a?idb=1104199500&1400.donation=form1&df_id=1400&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=D4407942E737E1697F96F7614761D7BA&idb=0 A private memorial will be held in the Hill Country in the coming weeks with an inclusive memorial for both Mike and Patsy at the National Veterans’ Cemetery. Michael was a good man. A man who kept his word and lived his life with a sense of honor. Celebration of Lives: You Are Cordially Invited to Celebrate the Beautiful Lives of Patricia Louise Shanklin and Richard Michael Shanklin from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021 at Outlaw’s Barbecue Restaurant 2334 S. Beltline Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75051. Notes: Barbecue Buffet will be provided. **** Due to the “Federal" Covid Restrictions, the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery still has attendance restrictions. Therefore, the funeral ceremonies will be "video-taped” and played back on the big screen TV at the Barbecue Restaurant for all to view! RSVP: Please RSVP, so, we can order enough BBQ! RSVP to carolsneff@gmail.com