Texas Ranger

[Billy Brock]

just a note to all our optical friends & family ....... Al's brother Paul passed away earlier this week and with his passing our industry has lost a wonderful artist ....... I invite you to post a note to let the family know our prayers and thoughts are with them during these times ...... the entire Shook family are very very dear friends and will appreciate the support



thanks to all,


billy brock

[Steve Machol]

My deppest condolences to Al and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Judy Canty]

My thoughts and prayers are with you also, Al.

Judy Canty

[Cindy Hamlin]

May the beautiful memories comfort you until the day you meet again.

[Diane]

Dear Al,

Sorry to hear the news about your brother. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Diane

[harry a saake]

Al, from our entire family to yours, we express our sorrow and wish everyone well.

[Texas Ranger]

Billy, thank you'all for the kindness expressed. This is pretty shocking. They believe he had a heart attack at his home alone, had no history of any illness, lived alone, and worked alone. He spenp many weekends fly fishing with his long time friends, I had started closing Saturdays a few months back, one thing I wanted to do was have a chance to spend more time with my family, including my only brother. He had just completed rebuilding a '57 chevy 210 wagon by himself, was an accomplished artist, wrote a news letter for a north texas fly fishing club, owned 8 guitars and went for guitar lessons with a noted Fort Worth guitars on Saturday mornings, was also an accomplished pool"hustler"! most folks have sofas and chairs in their den, he had a regulation pool table! He started with A.O. in 1970, worked with me in '77 to when he formed his own wholesale lab in '81 (was awarded a Varilux Lab of the Year in '83-84) was one of the first labs to put in an in-house AR coating lab, in '85. left the wholesale lab business in '89, went into a small one-man shop. He'd probably have his wholesale lab if most of his OD accounts had paid their bill in net 30 instead of him stressing out trying to get them to pay in 90 days (that was tooo tacky wasn't it?) just true... so, now Ive got an extra shop, house, cars, etc....he had everything but life insurance?? thought i'd pay for the funeral with HIS american express, but figured they'd catch the glitch in that action sooner or later. .... Well, we as a profession will miss talented folks like Paul, i'll miss him as a great brother, his wish was that folks do as much to help the Make A Wish foundation as possible, they do a lot of good! Tahnks Al.

[Sean]

Al,
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

[Darris Chambless]

Sorry to hear, Al.

I hope all are doing well, yourself especially. If there's anything I can do let me know.

Gods speed to your brother on his next journey.

"Our father who art in Heaven. Hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen!"

Take care Al,

Your friend,

Darris C.

[Bev Heishman]

Al,

You have always been so kind to me in my deepest hours. I am sorry to hear the news. May God be with you and yours. I will include you in my prayers.

Bev

For all things there is a reason and a season. God grant us the ability to cope with the things we can not change.

[hcjilson]

Al,
I am saddened to hear the news of your brother's passing.From your description of him, and his interests, I have the impression of one who pretty much did his own thing.All who tie fly's are patient artists with a greater appreciation of nature than most of us.That's a great thing to carry with you.I'm glad you found a good use for your Saturdays but sorry for your loss.

Harry

[Mary Lou Morey]

Dear Al, I am stunned. I noticed that I hadn't received any emails from you in the last couple of days. Now I understand why. Daybefore yesterday, I was telling an account in Ft. Collins about the fabulous lens work that Billy and Paul do and that if he needed any jewel or fact work to let me know and I'ld put him in touch. Wow! I AM SO SORRY. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

[Jedi]

Al,
A person cut from the same rug as you will surely be missed, all my best to you and your family.

[Carol D]

Al,

I was saddened to read of your loss. My heartfelt prayers to you and your family.


Carol D