It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad-Pops, Jerry Dale Shields of Dallas, Texas who was affectionately known as “JD”.

He departed this life following a decline in health at the age of 75 on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 and is now resting peacefully with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Born in Tupelo, OK on October 2, 1950, JD was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and carried the culture close to his heart.

During the 1950’s, the United States federal government put into law The Indian Relocation Act of 1956, which encouraged Native Americans to leave reservations and assimilate into urban environments to create a better life.

JD was just a young boy when his family joined the government led initiative & boarded a train that would bring them to Dallas. He once spoke about that journey in a vague recounting and mentioned that a reporter had visited their home to interview the family and took their photo on the front lawn of their new home.

 

During a great portion of his life, he was a truck driver, a true Knight of the Highway, logging a lifetime of miles out on the open road & enjoying the freedom that it brought as he traveled through all 50 states. He had many loves but his Harley was his pride & joy with which he enjoyed cruising solo or with friends. Coffee time and a smoke was his trademark & he frequented the local diners spending time chatting with whoever showed up. He had a gift for friendship and formed deep and lasting bonds with many over the years. Other favorite things he enjoyed was watching Nascar races & his fave football team, Alabama, on TV & listening to classic rock & country music. He owned a treasure trove of tools & enjoyed teaching his son, Jerry Jr. the skills to work on cars. He was a man of faith and in his quiet times would read his bible.

 

With a heart as big as his presence, JD loved his family deeply and will forever be remembered as a gentle giant, a loving son, father, brother, uncle, grandpa and friend.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sando & Elmay Alexander; his brother Mike Demarrias of Dallas & son-n-law-David Wright of Oklahoma.

 

JD is survived by his children, Jennifer Shields-Wright of Lone Grove, OK; Robyn Shields-Lewis & son-n-law Mark Lewis of Frisco, TX; Jerry D. Shields Jr. & daughter-n-law Deanna Shields of Dallas, TX.

Grandchildren include Shelby Ellis of Lone Grove, OK; Amber Myers & partner Mitchel Wise of Springer, OK; Joey Shields of Dallas, TX; Andrew Lewis of Frisco, TX

Great grandchildren include Audri White, Sophia Ellis, Olivia Butler and Zander Wise all of OK and his sister, Gloria Manard of Chicago

 

Please join us as we celebrate JD’s life and share stories, remember the good times & honor his spirit.

Location: The Goldmine at 3127 S. 1st St. Garland, TX 75041

Date/Time: Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 3:00-5:00PM

Phone: 972-544-6572

Dad was a t-shirt & jeans guy and would want everyone to be comfy!