Rufus Harold "Hal" Shank's Obituary
Rufus Harold "Hal" Shank, 100, of Longview passed away August 29, 2013, at a local nursing facility. He was born March 19, 1913, in Fairfax, Alabama to Elizabeth and Rufus Shank. He attended art school in Washington, D.C. and subsequently worked as a commercial artist in Atlanta, Georgia and Dallas, Texas.
He and Ruth Daniel married in Dallas in 1938 at the home of George W. Truett. He served many years as a deacon and teacher at First Baptist Church Dallas. He retired from Egan Printing Company and moved to Callendar Lake in 1972. In 1980 he and Ruth moved back to his hometown to care for his mother until her death in 1989 at age 100.
He returned to Texas and joined residence with daughter Sandra in 1993. He was a faithful member of Mobberly Baptist Church and also a long-time Gideons supporter. He was a beloved father, God's messanger wherever he went and a Christian example for all who knew him. He is preceded in death by Ruth, his ife of 62 years; brother Phil Shank; sister Sara Burns and his parents. He is survived by his daughters Diane Shank of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Susan Bentley of Greenwood, SC; Sandra Crisler and husband Cris of Longview,; two grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home at ten a.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2013 with Reverend Scott Schulik officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday September 2, 2013.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon's International or the Mobberly Baptist Church Building fund.
What’s your fondest memory of Rufus?
What’s a lesson you learned from Rufus?
Share a story where Rufus' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Rufus you’ll never forget.
How did Rufus make you smile?