Biography: John Paul Shock, JR, MD passed away on July 9th 2025 in Little Rock. He was born March 14th 1935 in Webster Springs, WV to the late John Paul Shock, SR and to the late Beulah Allman Shock and stepson of late Helen Wood Shock after an early death of his mother. 

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hall Shock, married 65 years and two adult sons Jeffery Hall Shock and John Bradford Shock, a sister Garry Lynne Shearer deceased and a nephew Micheal Thompson.
He graduated from Glenville High School in Glenville, WV and attended Glenville State College from 1953-1955. In 1959 he graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.

He enter the Army in 1959 and was trained in the field of artillery at Fort Sill, OK and took airborne training at Fort Benning, GA. His first military assignment was the 82nd airborne division at Fort Bragg, NC where he rose through the ranks to Command Artillery Battery.

In 1962 he took a “leave” from the Army to attend medical school at Duke University where he graduated in 1966.
Returning to the military after medical school graduation, he did an internship and residency in Ophthalmology at Walter Reed Medical Center and a one-year fellowship in retina-vitreous surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami.

The remainder of his 20-year military career was served at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco, CA and at Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX where he retired as a Full Colonel and Chief of Ophthalmology. As a result of his military service and contributions to the care of Vietnam Veterans with severe eye injuries and cataracts he was awarded two prestigious medals, the Mentoring Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. 

His research resulted in 5 US Patents one of which was for Ultrasonic Fragmentation and Removal of Cataracts. Portions of this procedure are still being used to remove cataracts in the US and world-wide.

In 1979 Dr. Shock was recruited to UAMS as a Professor and Chairman of the Ophthalmology Department. During his 40+ year tenure at UAMS he held numerous leadership positions to include Director of the Jones Eye Institute, Interim Dean of the College of Medicine “2001-2002” and Executive Vice Chancellor of UAMS “2002-2009”.

His ability to obtained philanthropic gifts was remarkable with the support of key donors and the Jones Eye Institute Advisory Board he raised sufficient money to build and equip the 9th floor of the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, to include the UAMS Pat Walker Tower of Research Center, the Lee and Betty Tollette Retinal and Ophthalmic Genetics Center and several one million dollar endowed chairs, one of which was named for him by a generous gift from Mrs. Bernice Jones. Over time Dr. Shock established the Arkansas Lions Eye Bank and Laboratory, the Walker Research Center, the Ophthalmic Medical Technology program and thriving philanthropic. 

Nationally Dr. Shock served as the chairman of The ACGME Residency Review Committee for Ophthalmology, President of the Association of University Professors for Ophthalmology and President of the CARTI Board of Directors. 

His honors include appointment as Distinguish Professor, Recipient of the Chancellors Meritorious Service Award, The College of Medicine Distinguish Service Award, Guest of Honor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2009, Alumni of the year at Glenville State College and in 2013 selected for the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame. (AMY-HOF)

In 2015 he was selected as the inaugural recipient for Life Time Achievement Award of Arkansas Business Health Care Heroes. In 2017 he received the UAMS Harvey P. Ward Life-Time achievement award. Since 1980 he has been a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.

A memorial service will be held Monday July 14^th, 2025 at 1:00pm at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers the Shock family request memorials may be sent to the Jones Eye Institute, Slot 523, UAMS 4301 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com