Dickie Joe Shead

Dickie “DJ” Shead was born April 14, 1949, in Memphis, TX to the late Levi and Cornetta Shead. He was the second oldest of 10 children.

Dickie accepted Christ at an early age. He attended school at Della Plains in Floydada, TX, Carver in Amarillo, TX, and he graduated in 1967 from Matador High School. Dickie joined the United States Army in March of 1968. He was Honorably discharged in March of 1971. He was a Military Police Officer in Nuremberg, Germany. Dickie received his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Amarillo College and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University in 1982.

Dickie married his lovely wife Ella in July 1968. They had two daughters Lucrezia and LaRonda. Dickie and Ella moved to Amarillo in 1971 after they returned from Germany. He was employed with Mason Hanger “Pantex” for 46 years. He worked as a Security Guard for 28 years and then Human Resources until he retired in January 2018.

Dickie attended New Hope Baptist Church where he served as Trustee, on the Finance Committee, Brotherhood, and the Male Chorus. He was a charter member of the Amarillo Community Lions Club and was very active until his health declined.

He always kept a toothpick hanging out his mouth and all around the house. Dickie enjoyed sports, yard work and grilling. Dickie loved the Dallas Cowboys and was a big sports fan overall. In his younger years he coached with Kids Inc. alongside friend and coworker, Pete Mendoza. They coached T-Ball, softball, flag football and football at Whitter Elementary and 6th graders at Travis Middle School. He also supported his kids, nieces, and nephews in their sporting activities.

He owned a car wash for many years and maintained a clean car both inside and out. He also had a side gig, S&R Janitorial for about three years. He cleaned and did repairs as needed here at New Hope for several years. He also kept an immaculate yard and believed no one could do it like he could. As his health declined, he continued the upkeep of his yard and in June 2021, The Black Chamber of Commerce recognized him with yard of the month award.

Dickie loved to dress. He was always clean and sharp as a tack. He called himself DJ Cool or DJ the Man. He has an overabundance of suits, ties, socks, and shoes. He said growing up he only got 1 pair of shoes a year, so every time Dillard’s or Raffkinds had a sale, he was there.  

Dickie was preceded in death by his father Levi Shead, mother Cornetta Shead, brothers Anthony Shead and Archie (Chuck) Jones.

He is survived by his wife Ella of 55 years, daughter's Lucrezia Rochon (Claude) of Grand Prairie, TX, Dr. LaRonda Y. Ashford (Darryl) of Houston, TX, and Ursula Monroe (Chris) of Conyers, GA. Grandchildren: Patrick Shead, Kendall Rochon, Taiylar Ashford, Dominque Branco and Tatiyana Branco and two great grands Josiah and Elijah Shead.  Siblings, Mary Williams of Sacramento, CA, John Shead (Gwen) of Amarillo, TX, Connie Shead of Sacramento, CA., Ruthie Tillmon of Amarillo, TX, Tonya Shead and Ronald Shead of Sacramento, CA, and Randy Shead (Renee) of San Diego, CA. He also leaves a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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