Tommy Joe

Shields

Obituary Lovingly Provided by the Family

MAJ Tommy J. Shields Jr., U.S. Army (Retired), passed away at his home in Neosho, Missouri, on September 26, 2026, at the age of 74.

He was born to Loretta Mae Webb and Tommy J. Shields Sr. in Bakersfield, California. Tommy spent his early years playing, learning, and growing alongside his sisters, Johnie and Lynn, and a close-knit group of cousins. The bonds formed during those early years became a lifelong family support system for sharing joys and comforting life's tragedies. Tommy cherished family and always looked forward to family events and card games.

In 1968, the Shields family relocated to southwest Missouri, farming 260 acres and operating a trucking company. Attending high school and ROTC during the day, then working evenings and weekends, Tommy honed his knack for problem solving and overcoming obstacles. These early years solidified his capacity for hard work and mental endurance that prepared him for his future in the military.

In 1974, Tommy joined the Missouri National Guard as an Aircraft Electrician, later attending Officer Candidate School, and was selected to join the Army Engineer Corps. The next 37 years took him to Panama, Korea, Honduras, Japan, Germany, the Dominican Republic, and two deployments to Iraq. Tommy earned many notable achievements and awards during his career, but he most talked about graduating from the Missouri National Guard Scout/Sniper Course at the age of 43, as the oldest service member in the course; and earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge at the age of 51. No matter where the military took him; Tommy took great pleasure in faithfully serving the Missouri National Guard and the United States Army.

In 1978, Tommy married Dodie Lynn Owen. They immediately departed for their honeymoon in beautiful Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he attended the Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, setting the tone for married life in the military. Making their home in Neosho, they took care of each other while raising their family and navigating the chaos of Tommy's frequent overseas travel. Their resilience, communication, and teamwork reframed adversity to provide growth and stability, not only for their own family, but for his unit's families during many mobilizations and deployments. Their relationship was defined by shared sacrifices, laughter, and a quiet partnership that gave their children a remarkable example of commitment to family and duty.

In 2008, Tommy joined Newton County as a reserve Deputy Sheriff and sniper on their Special Response Team. Tommy enjoyed working alongside his best friend, Steve Hunter, who acted as his spotter. We took special pleasure in hearing their stories of shared adventures during their military service and time working for Newton County.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Dodie Lynn Owen; his parents, Tom & Loretta Shields; and his sister, Johnie Bailey.

He is survived by his beloved cat Maggie; his three children, Lisa Shields, a veteran and former Captain in the U.S. Army (Michael Grinko), Lori Powers (James Powers), and Thomas Shields (Bridget Burman); five granddaughters, Alexis Shields, Laurel Mishevski, Jaci, Jena, and Josie Powers; his sister Lynn Hatfield (Willie Hatfield); sister-in-law Toni Wilson; mother-in-law Ann Owen; and many family members who will miss his humor and guidance. Recently, Tommy expressed gratitude for the companionship of Jimmy Shields, John Edwards, and Marla Johnson. Each of them made this past year brighter in their own way.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on October 10, 2026, at Clark Funeral Homes, located at 312 S Wood St, Neosho, MO 64850, immediately followed by an informal gathering of friends and family at the Community Room of First Community Bank at 111 E Main St, Neosho, MO 64850.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to MD Anderson Center, c/o Clark Funeral Home P.O. Box 66 Neosho, Missouri 64850.