John Thomas Shields

John Thomas Shields

John Thomas Shields, 76, of 111 Sunset Drive,  Union, S.C., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.Mr. Shields was born on April 13, 1948, the oldest son of John Tipton Shields and Betty Lane Shields of Bedford, Indiana. He graduated from Bedford High School, Class of 1966. He was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed the activities provided through scouts. John was a Presbyterian. John was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing in Indiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. After moving to South Carolina, he loved golfing and the friendships it offered. In later years, he especially enjoyed woodworking and was very talented at handcrafting trays, boxes, bowls and furniture. Other interests included cooking, gardening, bird watching and family history. He followed in his father's footsteps in manufacturing. John owned his own manufacturing business in Jackson, MS. In 1992, he was granted a United States patent as the inventor of a clamping assembly. After moving to South Carolina, he worked at Grimes Aerospace in Greenwood and Paragon Plastics in Union. He and his son, Jonathan, were in business together in J&J Enterprises of Union, a local landscaping company. He is survived by his wife of 54 years and high school sweetheart, Naida McMillen Shields; his son, Jonathan Trent Shields and wife, Robin M. Shields; his cherished grandsons, Jackson Nicholas Shields and Holden Lee Shields; sisters, Susan Goldsboro and Janet Lowe and husband John Lowe of Martinsville, IN;  nieces and nephews; an uncle, Montgomery Shields and wife Marianne of Seymour, IN; and many cousins and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James Ray Shields and Douglas Marshal Shields. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday November 6 2024 at 2pm at Lewis Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1-2pm at the funeral home prior to the service. Lewis Funeral Home and Crematory.

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