Maurice 'Lindale' Shockley Jr., 79

DOVER - Maurice "Lindale" Shockley Jr., died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, in Bayhealth- Kent General Hospital, Dover, with family by his side. He was 79. Maurice's favorite thing in life was music and he was a simple man of music. He played in country-western and bluegrass bands throughout his life. As a young boy, he picked tomatoes to pay for his first guitar. His favorite singer was Gene Autry and he fashioned his style after Mr. Autry. Other big musical influences of his were The Carter Family, Bob Wills, and the great Hank Williams Sr. During his enlistment in the U.S .Army, he found many friends with whom he played and recorded that type of music. He graduated from Dover High School in 1947 and started working at International Playtex in Dover. He enlisted in the Army in 1950, and was stationed in Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he witnessed and participated in the production of the epic movie "From Here To Eternity". He spoke of being in the background as one of the many U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Scoffield Barracks on Oahu. He and his wife often told stories of the antics of the cast and crew during the making of the movie. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to work at Playtex. He worked with many friends in the warehouse and retired in 1991. In 1960, he and his wife purchased a Martin D28 acoustic guitar and that has remained his prized possession and he has played that guitar ever since. Most notably, he played on stage at Sunset Park near Oxford, Pa., as part of many opening acts for prominent country and bluegrass acts such as Hank Thompson, Ernest Tubb, and the legendary Roy Acuff. He performed on that same stage as a musician with The Wilburn Brothers and the 50s/early 60s country act Marvin Rainwater. On a more local note, in October of 1992, he was asked to be the opening act for what became the first Delaware Friends of Folk Fall Fling, which has blossomed into the current Delmarva Folk Festival. He became a member of the Delaware Friends of Folk and has appeared at many of the coffee houses and "pick-ins" sponsored by the organization. He has also been a long-time member of the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Stacie Marie Shockley. He is survived by his wife, Grace "Esther" Shockley of Dover; sons, Claude Shockley of Graham, N.C., Richard Shockley of Dover, Jeffrey and his wife Virginia Shockley of Dover; brother, James Benjamin and his wife Charlotte Shockley of Dover; sisters, Eunice Smith of Dover, April and her husband Gene Bedgood of New Castle; five grandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Julianne, Erin, Monica; and three great grand children. Remembrance services will be noon Tuesday at Trader Funeral Home 12 Lotus St., Dover. A gathering of family and friends will also be Tuesday at the funeral home one hour before the service. Burial will be at Sharon Hill Memorial Park Dover. Memorial donations can be made to Delaware Friends of Folk Guitar Playing Scholarship Fund 59 Asbury Ave. Dover, DE 19901. Letters of condolences may be sent to www.delmarvaobits.com or traderfh@aol.com.