George H. Shadid

George H. Shadid, born March 8, 1930, passed away to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 22, 2022, at the age of 92. George was born in Dexter, KS, and moved with his parents to Oklahoma City, OK, at the age of 1, where he resided until his death. George graduated from Central High School in 1948. While attending Central, he served as President of his junior class and was a member of the Red Shirt Pep Club and the Masquers Drama Club. He attended Oklahoma City University, where he was a member of the Phi Chi Phi Fraternity, which later went national with Sigma Phi Epsilon in George's junior year. George was elected President of the Phi Chis during his sophomore year—the first sophomore elected to the office. George was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the US Navy. He served all his military years aboard ship. On New Year's Eve 1954, at the Biltmore Hotel, at the stroke of midnight, he asked MariLynn Wehba to be his wife. They were married on May 2, 1954, and their union produced three children who were their pride and joy. George never missed a ball practice or game, a dance recital, a school play, or anything that had to do with his children. And he also found time to work around the clock to make sure his family never lacked in anything. The Shadid home was "the home" when the kids were in high school, and that was because of George and MariLynn. His kids still remember George arm wrestling the offensive linemen on the football team in their den. George was employed for 45 years in the wholesale paper business. He began his career in 1957 with the Oklahoma Paper Company, which was located where the Bricktown Ballpark is now. In 1975, George became General Sales Manager and Vice President of the company. He represented his company at all conventions for the National Paper Trade Association, the International Sanitary Supply Association, and the Retail Packaging Manufacturer's Association. He was a life-long member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. He was a charter member of the Choir and a past member of the Parish Council. George was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, MariLynn, his parents Fannie and Sam Shadid, his brother William (Bill) Shadid, and his in-laws, James and Hilwa Wehba. He is survived by his children, Shawn Grantham (Ken) of McDonough, GA, Tim Shadid (Debra) of Oklahoma City, and Lori Baptist of Norman, OK. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brett Baptist (Cassie) of Brooklyn, NY, Mallory Holder (Michael) of Marietta, GA, Blake Baptist (Lindsey) of Houston, TX, Jeb Shadid of Ft. Collins, CO, and Sam Shadid of Oklahoma City. Blake and Lindsey's baby, Ellie, George's first great grandchild, came into the world just before George passed and he rejoiced. George is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Gayla Shadid of Oklahoma City, and numerous nieces and nephews he loved so dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Elijah's "Flowers That Do Not Wither" Fund or St. Jude Children's Hospital. Visitation with the family and viewing will be Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home from 4–6 PM. The funeral service will be Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 10:30 AM with interment to follow at Fairlawn Cemetery. The family would like to give a special thank you to Becky of Mercy Hospice, Rosemary of Town Village, and everyone at St. Ann's Skilled Nursing for taking such good and loving care of their beloved dad.