The oldest of four brothers, John grew up in the Oklahoma countryside. In adulthood, he ventured far from home, spending time stationed in Northern Japan and later living in Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Utah. He was a lifelong student with many personal interests, graduating as salutatorian from Cameron High School in 1954 and later earning three associate degrees in business and science from Eastern Oklahoma State College and Salt Lake Community College. He proudly served his country during the Cold War as a radar set technician in the U.S. Air Force, forming lifelong friendships he maintained through many reunions over the years. John went on to establish a 35-year career as a technician with Sperry UNIVAC, where he worked hands-on with one of the first commercially available computer systems in the United States.
Active in his church and community, John served as an ordained deacon at Granger Baptist Church and Millcreek Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a longtime Sunday school teacher, youth leader, Cubmaster, Royal Ambassadors Director, soccer coach, and volunteer with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization. A natural leader, service was an important part of John’s life, and he never hesitated to step in where he was needed.
He enjoyed a variety of hobbies and invested his time in everything from gardening to studying Greek, playing the piano, and practicing judo. Perhaps most of all, he loved to sit on his back porch with a cigar and watch the world go by. Though a homebody at heart, he was also an avid outdoorsman and world traveler, who loved every minute of these adventures once you convinced him to go out.
As diverse as his interests and accomplishments were, more than anything, John lived by faith and with purpose. He set his compass on the Lord and never wavered from that path, no matter what life brought his way. His devotion to God and his family was steadfast and shaped every part of who he was. He led by example, demonstrating what it means to walk with Jesus in all that he said and did.
John was the world’s greatest husband, dad, brother, uncle, son, friend, and Papasan to his grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers Tom and Charlie Shoup.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce (Crabtree) Shoup; sons, James and wife Denice, Johnny and wife Elisa, and Jeffrey; His brother, Dewey; grandchildren, Rachael and husband Mitch, David and wife Beth, Durand and wife Alex, Mikayla and husband Shannon, Annika and husband Roberto, Connor and wife Ruthie, Isabella and husband Manny, and Ian; great-grandchildren CeCe, Rome, Genevieve, Odiase, and Artin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends whose lives he touched.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Sans Bois Hospice staff and volunteers who cared for John with such compassion in his final years.
A memorial service honoring John’s life will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Poteau, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Cameron, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.
“Then at last, when on high He sees us,
Our journey done,
We will rest where the steps of Jesus
End at His throne.”
— “Footsteps of Jesus” by Mary B. Slade
Tricia Pemberton
House Republican Communications
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Office: (405) 962-7623
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