Don Lee Shackelford, of Dixon, was born on January 4, 1938, at St. Louis, a son of Sylvester Emil "Bill" and Nola Naomi (Lloyd) Shackelford, and departed this life at 5:49 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Phelps Health, Rolla. He had attained the age of 82 years, 8 months, and 9 days.

Don was united in marriage on October 18, 1958, at Dixon, to the former Miss Rexanna Lowe Scott, and to this union, four children were born.

On September 25, 1955, at St. Louis, Mr. Shackelford entered active federal service in the Navy of the United States and served until January 31, 1976, when he was honorably discharged at Millington, Tennessee, at the rank of AGC. While in the Navy, Don, a life learner, continued his education, studying at the University of Maryland in the field of Social Sciences, culminating with his degree from London University. His follow-on Graduate education and work took place at Lincoln University. His military training included the Naval Training Center for Military Affairs; the Naval Training Center for Meteorology and Satellites where he attained his Specialty Title of Aeorgrapher's Mate in Meteorology. During his naval career of twenty plus years, he was assigned around the world with duty stations including his time aboard the U.S.S. Hancock; regions of China; duty in Morocco at Port Lyautey; Bremerhaven, Germany; Fort Meade , Maryland, at the National Security Agency; CINCUSNAVEUR, London, England; and numerous other assignments. Don was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal (3 ^rd Award), and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. A man of excellent character, Don's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country.

Following his retirement from the US Navy, Mr. Shackelford taught Social Sciences at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, retiring from there after twenty years of employment. Don was a member of the Dixon Church of Christ, the Dixon Rural Fire Department, the Dixon Optimist Club, and the Civil Air Patrol. His passion was fishing, and he enjoyed hunting, photography, and operating his Ham Radio.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Shackelford include: His wife of nearly sixty-two years, Rexanna Shackelford, of the home near Dixon; his four children, Crisanna Lowe Shackelford of Ruckersville, Virginia, Nola Rebecca Johnson and husband, William, of Dixon, Venita Lee Shackelford of Goodyear, Arizona, and Samuel Scott Shackelford and wife, Angela, of Charlottesville, Virginia. He also leaves behind his seven grandchildren, Abigail Llewellyn Wahlfeldt, Rachelle Chante Zerio and husband, Alex, Austin William Johnson, Alora Jane Rebecca Rhean, Brianna Lowe Rhea Rhean, Cole Thomas Shackelford, and Landon Andrew Shackelford; His three great-grandchildren, Aubrianna Llewellyn Green, Terrance Ray Campbell, and Nolani Alexandria Zerio; his one nephew, David Lee Shackelford and wife, Valda; his one niece, Beth Lynn Goss and husband, Ned; and other relatives and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Bill, on May 24, 1985; his mother, Nola, on April 16, 2003; his one brother and sister-in-law, Billy Lloyd Shackelford, on January 25, 2017, and his wife, Marigene Shackelford, on September 30, 1957; one great-nephew, David Lee Shackelford II, on August 9, 2012; and his father and mother-in-law, Rex Veasman Scott on August 22, 1990, and his wife, Will-Lowe (Cain) Scott, on November 15, 2012.

Visitation for Mr. Don Lee Shackelford will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in the Dixon Church of Christ, 12000 Highway 28, Dixon, Missouri 65459, with his funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. in the church with Brendan Carr officiating under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Dixon.

Don will be interned at the Pisgah Cemetery, close to his parents. Full military honors will be held at this time. Pallbearers for Mr. Shackelford will be his son, Samuel Shackelford, his grandson, Andrew Shackelford, his dear friend, Jason Alexander, his son-in-law, William Johnson, his grandson, Austin Johnson, and his grandson-in-law, Kenny Wahlfeldt. His honorary pallbearers will be Marty Wulff (Deceased) and Doc Wulff.

Memorial contributions, in memory of Mr. Don Lee Shackelford, are suggested by his family to the Dixon Church of Christ with envelopes available the day of his service at the church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.