Joseph Carlyle "J.C." Shacklette, a longtime resident of Brandenburg, Kentucky, passed away at 97 years of age on September 16, 2024, after a brief illness.
He was born June 5, 1927, at his grandfather Shacklette's Little Bend farm, which he owned and loved so dearly, in Roberta, Kentucky (now Battletown). He worked with his father wiring houses until he enlisted in the Army in 1945, where he served as a Military Policeman in Occupational Forces, 1st Infantry Division, in Germany and Austria until 1947. After returning home, he ran a trucking service until his employment, in 1949, with civil service at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1952, he began his 45-year career with Olin Chemical Corporation as a heavy equipment operator until retiring in 1997.
J.C. had a passion for collecting classic cars and a love for motorcycles that started at the age of 20 when he purchased his first Harley-Davidson in 1947. Over the course of 77 years, he owned 13 Harleys that he enjoyed riding even as recently as last month. One of his other favorite activities was mowing his properties, which total 10 acres, on his zero-turn mower. He never considered it work and took great pride in the results and the many compliments he received. J.C. was one of a kind and blessed with an extraordinary quality of life. He was always on the go and never met a stranger. A masterful storyteller, he loved sharing his many adventures and tales of the past with family and friends. His ability to remember facts, events, and dates was amazing. One of his many special quotes was “It’s been a good day, what are we going to do tomorrow?” He had a heart of gold and would give the shirt off of his back to anyone in need. There was nothing more important to him than his family, whom he dearly loved more than anything.
J.C. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Norma Jean Norton, who he fondly called "Babs"; his parents, Ed and Ora Shacklette of Brandenburg, and a brother, Lewis Shacklette of Ormond Beach, Florida. Survivors include his daughter, Brenda Hancock (Doug) of Dothan, Alabama; grandson, Brian Douglas Hancock of Pensacola, Florida; granddaughter, Jean Elizabeth "Beth" Hancock of Los Angeles, California; great-grandchildren, Samuel Price Hancock and Iris Kaye Zitter; brother, Don Shacklette (Donna) of Brandenburg; sister, Sue Cummings of Ekron, Kentucky; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Brandenburg with Rev. Seth Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Cap Anderson Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 20th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Bruington-Jenkins-Sturgeon Funeral Home in Brandenburg, and Saturday, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the church.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Pets in Need Society, PO Box 522, Brandenburg, KY 40108 and First Baptist Church, 149 Lawrence Street, Brandenburg, KY 40108.
Comments