Final Salute

KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) – Howard C. “Red” Shoemaker, 82, of Keyser, West Virginia, went peacefully surrounded by his family to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Born on Dec. 28, 1939, in Keyser, he was a son of the late Thomas V. and Ruth I. (Baker) Shoemaker. He also was preceded in death by two grandsons, Troy L. Shoemaker II and Colton J. Shoemaker.

A 1958 graduate of Bruce High School, Red started working at the age of 14 and went into the Navy Reserves at age 16. He joined the United State Navy after his high school graduation and served four years as a gunner’s mate aboard the U.S.S. Leyte and the U.S.S. Intrepid. He also was a Seabee and helped to reconstruct the canal boat on the C&O Canal in Cumberland, Maryland. After his duty in the service, he was employed at the Westvaco Paper Mill until his retirement.

Red liked 57′ Chevys, metal detecting, air shows and vacationing at the Fort Story Townhouses Ocean Front in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

He was a member of Boyce-Houser Post # 41, American Legion in Keyser, the Mineral County Genealogical Society, was a social member of the Fountain Volunteer Fire Department and was an active supporter of the Seal Team Groups. He was Baptist by faith and was a good husband, Dad and was a great Pap.

Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Shirley L. (Leatherman) Shoemaker: “Red, thanks for the precious memories and our wonderful family;” two sons, Troy L. Shoemaker and wife Karen and Kevin J. Shoemaker and wife Crystal; one daughter, Lori S. Judy and husband Nethanel; eight grandchildren, Erik and wife Shannon, Rachel and husband Stephen, Josh and wife Mary Beth, Chad, Cody, Trevor, Tanner and wife Vanessa and Achilles and seven great grandchildren, Isabella, Layairra, Wesson, Blake, Joshua, Ezekiel and Emeryn. Also surviving are three sisters, Joyce Becker, Nancy Rinker and husband Tom and Gay Grogg and husband Chris; two brothers-in-law, Rev. Dr. Donald Leatherman and wife Ceil and Pastor John Leatherman and wife Tammy; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Hovermale.

Friends will be received at the Smith Funeral Home, Keyser Chapel, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted immediately following the visitation at 2 p.m. on Wednesday with Pastor John Leatherman and Pastor Mark Leatherman officiating.

Interment will be in the Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Fountain Volunteer Fire Department or to The Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Mr. Shoemaker’s obituary at smithfuneralhomes.net.