Obituary of John Christopher Shull

John Christopher Shull John Christopher Shull, beloved husband of Laurel, left this world much too soon on 7 October 2013. John was born in Aurora, Colorado the 24 August, 1955 to Helen and Walter Shull. He is survived by his mother, Helen, and sisters, Julie and Lydia. John led an exemplary life with many distinguished accomplishments. He lived a life that made a very big difference to so many in so many walks of life. This remarkable gift continues on in the simple, yet well-crafted groundwork he laid for us. Known to be an accomplished observer, a brilliant thinker, a student of the Great Work, greatly compassionate and caring, loyal, generous, a successful business owner, an exemplary Mason, and in all ways gracious, he wasted not a moment on this earth. John’s spirit is present with Laurel; Bentley, his canine companion; and Buddy, his feline friend. John is greatly loved on into eternity. John’s running accomplishments include holding title to being a two-time, All-American runner while at Wright State University, 1977 and 1978. He has been inducted into their Hall of Fame. Additionally, during his time at Wright State, he was named the team’s most valuable performer for four consecutive years. His lungs and stamina were truly marvelous and prized by his coach and teammates. He knew he was not his body and that he has all ways been a divine being. He knew that his earthly body was to experience this plane and ready him for his next adventure. He was grateful to his parents for allowing him choice and exploration of his spirituality. John had the very rare quality of giving whomever he was speaking with his undivided attention, no matter what else was going on, and that person felt it. He was a very high achiever as a young man in school. These honed skills and being disciplined set the pace for the rest of his remarkable life, always striving to achieve greater than his present status quo and being smart so as not to compare himself or his journey with anyone else. John built his own 16’ x16’ cabin with loft, windows, plumbing, woodstove and cook stove. Outside the front door was a full-length porch overlooking a well-tended vegetable garden. Down the path, there was the composting outhouse, which he also built, complete with a crescent moon in the door and skylight above. He was known in all circles to be an “outside-of-the-box” thinker and a “put-into-action solver.” A multi-faceted, greater than 360 degree view, he was an accomplished person in so many venues. His magnificent mind continues to make itself known on this plane. John relished the creative aspects of developing new companies be it non-profit or for-profit, the last of which is Ultimate Health for Dogs, a liquid dog vitamin that helps dogs live better lives. A lover of dogs, he, Laurel and Bentley spent many happy hours at dog shows – mostly with their good friend, Rod. John had been a gifted caregiver for several years before he met Laurel. He made lasting friendships from a few of those he met while providing this service. He helped with caregiving for both of Laurel’s parents. Laurel and her sisters, Lorraine and Bernie, are forever grateful for John’s willingness to help and the wonderfully complete reports he provided detailing time spent with their parents relaxing and reminiscing. John was very well read and a great seeker of truth. He loved the process of gaining new knowledge and examining the new perspectives that were generated. He was a clever maker of puns intended. He took great pleasure in being a member of OWL, the Olympia Wine League. Especially high on his list was a big, bold glass of red wine. He was also known to savor a locally crafted beer. The watering hole of choice was always Fish Tale brew pub in Olympia. John and Laurel hatched many a business venture there over a beer using a napkin and they all were successful businesses. John crafted many complex documents, making him a wordsmith extraordinaire. He wrote contracts, letters, reports and more for friends and organizations. A few more random activities of John’s at which he became expert: wood chopper, fire builder, martini maker, connoisseur of fine food, bread baker, and ice cream maker. John was a member of the Tenino Mason Lodge and received his 1st degree on May 1, 2003 and 2nd degree on May 15 of the same year. Next he attained his Master Mason degree on September 4, 2003. John held the position of Chaplain in 2004, then went through the chairs in 2005 as Junior Warden, 2006 as Senior Warden, and was elected the Master of the Lodge in 2007. Part of the oath of a Master Mason includes “…opening the mind to objective truth.” This phrase aptly describes a very strong characteristic of John and what he held dear. He then performed in 2010 and 2011 as the Senior Steward before becoming the Treasurer. He served as the District Deputy of District 17 in 2011-2012 and for District 16, 2012-2013. He received the Grand Master’s Achievement Award on Leap day of 2008. John served the Grand Lodge on the Research and Education Committee and was most recently their Chairman. John was forever grateful to Joe Wagner for introducing him to Masonry. He loved to think of fundraisers for the Tenino Masons to raise money for the community and for their lodge and enjoyed participating in them. Bikes for Books was a favorite and every year he looked forward to presenting the children with their bikes, scooters, and helmets. He found rewarding the sharing of his ideas with his brothers and he so loved being a member of the Masonic Brotherhood. Improving himself was all ways a goal. John had a great appreciation of music and a few of his favorite artists include Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, The Beatles” (really loved the DVD, “Across the Universe”), Van Morrison, Michael Jackson (most notably “Man In The Mirror”), Diana Krall, Dave Matthews Band, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Sarah McLachlan. A favorite quote a good friend of his has as a plaque on her front door is, “Nice Matters.” John held this quote in the forefront of his mind and strove to include it in every day thought. A lover of nature (birds, moss, flowers, trees), he marveled at the uniqueness of each species and its beauty. John was truly an elegant human being in every sense of the word. Now he is a truly elegant being free from the bounds of his earthly body to journey to other planes and to explore different levels of consciousness. Please leave memories of John or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.