Paul Shook, Jr.

Paul Shook of Denver, CO passed into glory on February 27, 2024 at the age of 101.   

Paul Shook was born to a farm family in Plainfield, IA on October 12, 1922.  He was the youngest of five children.  He trusted in Christ as his Savior on his 18 birthday.  He was deferred for farm work during World War 2 but served for a time in Korea after the war.  

After attending Wartberg College in Waverly, IA for a short time he attended and graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois.  He married Vada Eikenbary, September 3, 1950.  On March 21, 1953 they were blessed with twin boys – Philip and Steve.  Later they found that Steve was deaf.

They joined the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism and went to Japan as missionaries on a freighter in 1955.  Daughter Becky was added to the family on October 7, 1957.  Their son Philip went to be with the Lord  as a result of kidney failure in 1964.  Paul and Vada were active in Church planting, evangelism, discipleship and Bible School teaching in Japan.  Must of their ministry was to the deaf in Japan.  Deaf all over Japan still call him Papa.  Vada went to be with the Lord March, 20, 1988.

 Paul Shook married Jeri Watkins on November 14, 1992.  They served in Japan for two years before retiring to Charleston, IL.  Jeri went to be with the Lord March 23, 2014.  Paul Shook returned to Japan from 2014 to 2019 and lived with daughter Becky and son-in-law Bill Petite.  

Paul Shook returned to the States and married Joy Headrick of Denver, CO  December 21, 2019 and lived in Denver until his death on February 27, 2024.

He is survived by two children, Steve and Becky, his wife Joy and her three sons, and together they had 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He is greatly loved by Japanese Christians all over Japan to this day.

A Memorial Service was held for Paul Shook at Southwest Community Church, Denver, CO on March 2, 2024.