Johnny Shook

Obituaries

Tuesday, 17 January 2023 13:01

Mr. Johnny Hiram Shook, 97 of Rome, Georgia, born on Saturday, June 27, 1925, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at his residence.
Born in Scottsboro as the second of five children to the late Robert and Emma Shook, he was a graduate of Jackson County High where he played in the first high school band in the fall of 1939. There were only 11 bands in the state at that time. He was also a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a degree in music education. He served in the United States Army Air Corp from 1943 – 1946, serving as an aviation cadet until control was gained over the air in France and Germany. At each base he was stationed, he played in off-duty bands, from big bands to small combos. This is where he made the decision to become a professional after the war, playing in several bands. In 1974, he was selected as a distinguished Band Master of America, one of only 227 nationwide. He was also selected as Teacher of the Year in 1972 in the Rome City school system.

He was married to Martha Gingrich in 1952 and began his teaching career in 1955. After 12 years in Alabama, he came to Rome and became Band Director for West Rome High. He taught there for 12 years.