Roy Eugene Shake

Roy Eugene Shake was born July 3, 1932 in Claremont, Illinois and died April 3, 2022 in Abilene, Texas. His father was William C. Shake and mother was Marian A. (Nettleton) Shake. Roy attended Union School then East Richland High School in Olney, Illinois where he graduated in 1950. He attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating in 1954 with a major in Botany, Geography, and Education. For graduate school, he went to the University of Wisconsin (1955-1957) where he received a Master’s degree in Plant Ecology and Ph.D. work at the University of Florida (1962-1965). During his time in Madison, Wisconsin, he met and married Bonnie Lou Sargent in 1957. They moved to Decatur, Illinois where he taught General Science, entered the National Guard for 6 months of active duty, and an additional 5 1/2 years in the reserve. In 1958, they moved to Abilene where he was a professor at Abilene Christian University in the Biology Department for approximately 50 years. He was an active member of the 11th and Willis Church of Christ and served there as an elder for 33 years. He also preached in churches in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida and served many smaller Texas congregations in Woodson, Jacksboro, Santo, Roscoe, Goree, Barnhart, and others. Roy was very involved with Christian Homes of Abilene where he and Bonnie served as foster parents for over 100 children and unwed mothers as well as serving on their board for 18 years. Roy and Bonnie were supportive of and visited missionaries in New Guinea and South Africa.

Survivors include his 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. His family includes Roger and Susan Shake of Allen, Texas and their sons Elliott, Nelson and his wife Sally and their children Isla and Foster, and Bennett and his wife Serene; Dan and Deonna Shake of Abilene and their children Bryson and Denae Guadaramma and her husband Trey and their children Gwen and Drake; Linda Allen and husband Kevin of Abilene and their children Kameron and L’nae Carstens and her husband Seth and their children Sadie and Gideon; Gary and Lisa Shake of Austin and their children Haley and Garrett; Tim and Shelley Shake of North Richland Hills, Texas and their children Marshall and Drew; daughter Misti Shake of Abilene and brother-in-law Dale Sargent of Durango, Colorado. His brother Herbert Shake and sister Marie Crites preceded him in death as did his wife Bonnie who passed away on May 30, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to 11th and Willis Church of Christ, 3309 South 11th Street, Abilene, TX 79605 for Sam’s Place, an orphanage for deaf children in Kenya.

There will be a visitation on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 5-7 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors located at 733 Butternut St., Abilene, Texas, and a memorial service on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:00 am at Hillcrest Church of Christ located at 650 E. Ambler Ave., Abilene, Texas.  The service will be live-streamed at www.hillcrestonline.com/ .