John Thomas Shires

John Thomas Shires, 76, of Buchanan Dam died April 21, 2011, at Scott & White Medical Center in Temple after a lengthy decline in his health. He was born in Hopkins County on Oct. 28, 1934.

He attended San Saba Public Schools and Tarleton State University and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in agricultural economics. He was married July 6, 1956, to the former Chere Roberts.

He first was employed by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and then Production Credit Association, dealing with farm loans. He also was a mortgage loan appraiser before entering the sales field, excelling in pharmaceutical sales and sales management.

In Oklahoma, he had his own businesses as a sales representative for a variety of companies. He was certified by Texas A&M in fundamentals of hydraulics and worked in San Antonio as a pneumatic and hydraulics manufacturing representative.

His last career was built on the writing skill he discovered. He was a contributing writer for a number of publications in the Hill Country.

He especially was known for his restaurant reviews and recollections of life in San Saba County.

He was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and United Methodist Church. He was part of a consulting committee for an Oklahoma City Council member and was recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee for support of the 1989 Olympics.

He served on the Oklahoma City Game and Fish Commission, coordinating lakes and recreational areas. He was a recreational sailor and was instrumental in founding the first Passageway Charity Regatta of the Oklahoma City Boat Club.

He served as president of the Llano County Emergency Service District No. 2, supporting the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department. Avidly interested in politics on the national, state and local levels, he had been active in the Llano County Republican Club. He was proud to have been a Shriner and member for more than 50 years of the San Saba Masonic Lodge  No. 612, A.F. & A.M.

Survivors include his wife; daughter Cindy Kidd of Bartlesville, Okla.; son Craig Shires of Austin; grandchildren Angel Kidd January of Claremore, Okla., Micah Kidd of Las Vegas, Jim Kidd of Bartlesville, Okla. and Lacie Kidd of Las Vegas; five great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Betty Shires of Shreveport, La.

He was preceded in death by brother J.D. Shires and parents Jefferson Davis Shires and Beaulah Nell Hopkins Shires.

A service is at 2 p.m. April 29 at Highland Lakes United Methodist Church, RR 1431 and Texas 29 in Buchanan Dam, with the Rev. Grady Roe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a favorite charity.