Albert Donald Shackelford, 81, of Athens, GA died on June 21. Shackelford graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS and MS degree in Agricultural Engineering.
Shackelford worked several years for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service planning, designing, and building flood control dams in Georgia. He transferred to USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and moved into the Russell Research Center, when it opened in Athens, where his work concentrated on finding ways to improve poultry processing and handling and minimize salmonella and other pathogens in poultry handling. The cage system to transport chickens from the house to the processing plant that he and his research group developed was a significant improvement over the smaller chicken coops and led to a great savings to the industry.
He joined the Georgia National Guard and trained six months at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by six years of reserve duty in the U.S. Army. He was a lifetime member of Princeton United Methodist Church serving in many capacities.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Stovall Shackelford; a son, Al Shackelford Jr. of Athens; a daughter Susan Shackelford of Los Angeles; a granddaughter Zoe Julia Dawes; a brother, David Lamar Shackelford of Las Vegas and beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother, James Edward Shackelford.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 27 at the Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Athens, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Princeton UMC, 2390 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30606; Interfaith Hospitality Newtwork of Athens, P.O Box 581, 30603 or Oconee River Land Trust, 675 Pulaski Street, Suite 2300, Athens, GA. 30601.
