F. Wesley Shrum's Obituary
F. Wesley Shrum – 6/25/1943 – 7/9/2026 …83 amazing years
Some people leave a room quietly. Wes Shrum never did.
Whether it was his unmistakable laugh, his strong teacher’s voice, or the twinkle in his eye just before he teased someone, Wes had a way of making his presence known. He loved people, loved to laugh, and perhaps most of all, loved good-natured teasing. For those who knew him best, teasing was simply one of the ways he said, "I like you.” It was one of the many ways he showed affection and connected with those around him. Family, friends, students, neighbors, and even strangers he had just met often found themselves smiling after spending time with him.
At his core, Wes was guided by a deep sense of fairness. Whether he was teaching in a classroom, coaching from the sidelines, or listening to someone’s story, he believed people deserved to be heard, respected, and treated with dignity. That belief shaped both his character and the way he lived his life.
Wes devoted 32 years to teaching high school mathematics, sharing not only his knowledge, but also his encouragement, humor, and unmistakable presence with generations of students. He also coached varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer and girls’ track, helping young people grow in confidence, character, and perseverance. Many former students and athletes remember not only what he taught them, but how he made them feel.
His curiosity and adventurous spirit carried him across the country and around the world. He treasured traveling with his church choir in his late teens, chaperoning a student delegation trip to the Soviet Union in 1989, and, after retiring from teaching, driving motorcoaches so he could continue exploring new places and meeting new people. Wherever he traveled, he had a gift for turning strangers into friends. Hosting Belgian exchange student Benoit Angelot in 1994–1995 began a lifelong friendship between their families which remain one of the greatest blessings of Wes's life.
Wes also had a lifelong appreciation for classic cars, especially Corvettes. His dream car was the iconic 1967 Stingray, but at 6’4”, he was simply too tall to fit comfortably behind the wheel. Instead, he found the perfect fit in a white 1989 C4 and later a maroon 2000 C5, both convertibles, of course.
On April 13, 1968, Wes married his beloved wife, JoAnn Townsend Shrum. They met during his first year of teaching while she was a student teacher, beginning a partnership which lasted more than fifty-eight years. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, laughter, and unwavering devotion to one another. They spent over twenty years in the Tavares, Florida area, making homes in Tiki Village, Royal Harbor, and most recently Lake Port Square Retirement Community. Wes was a member of Compass Church in Tavares and carried his faith with quiet conviction throughout his li
Wes was preceded in death by his father, William E. Shrum Jr.; his birth mother, Edna Gross Shrum; his stepmother, Janet Eckman Shrum; and his brother, William E. Shrum III.
He is survived by his beloved wife, JoAnn Townsend Shrum; his daughter, Stephanie E. Shrum, and her husband, Michael Fritschi; his son, Christopher Townsend Shrum, and Mary Kate Keough; his cherished granddaughter, Madison Ashley Larner; along with extended family, dear friends, former students, and colleagues whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
More than anything, Wes will be remembered for the joy he brought into every room, the fairness with which he treated others, and the laughter he shared so freely.
Some people are remembered for what they accomplished. Wes will be remembered for the way he made people feel. If you knew Wes, you probably heard his unmistakable laugh before you ever saw him. You may have found yourself on the receiving end of a playful joke or a story that somehow became funnier every time he told it. His legacy lives on in the kindness he showed, the laughter he shared, and the countless lives he touched.
Though his classroom is now quiet, the lessons he taught through fairness, laughter, and kindness continue to live on in the countless lives he touched.
A celebration of life is pending, please check back in for more information.
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