Print Edward Shomette, Jr. "Uncle Pete"

Print Edward Shomette, Jr., 80, affectionately known by his many friends as "Pete" or "Uncle Pete", passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.  Born to Print E. Shomette, Sr . and Lucy K. Shomette on October 8, 1943 at Providence Hospital, in Washington, D.C, he is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan P. Shomette (Susie).  He worked at W.S.S.C. from 1961 to 1988 as a surveyor and inspector.  Upon his retirement, he worked for T.W. Perry Hardware from 1991 to 2000 in maintenance and operations, as a punch-out for various custom home builders and from Ryan Homes from 2000 to 2009.  Pete was a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1964 to 1970 and was a 1961 graduate of Northwestern High School, having lettered in basketball.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Print E. and Lucy K. Shomette; two sisters, Nancy Marie and Kathryn Anne Shomette Allen.
 
Pete's hobbies and interests were many and varied.  He was an accomplished wood worker, furniture maker and carpenter and was a handyman who could build or fix almost anything.  He enjoyed hunting in his earlier years.  Pete owned a bay boat and a bass boat and was an accomplished salt and fresh water fisherman.  He was a member of International Harvester Collectors Tractor Club, having owned a 1951 restored model "M" which he entered in parades and shows.  He enjoyed bird watching, feeding the birds year round and building various bird houses.  He donated many bluebird houses to local regional parks.
 
He enjoyed maintaining their farmette, "Rolling Acres" and he always had a large vegetable garden, to the delight of his friends and neighbors.  He always had dogs and cats, and at one time, ducks, geese, chickens and goats - he was a true animal lover.  Pete's interest in sports began at age 10, playing baseball for the boys club.  At age 47, he retired from fast pitch softball.  While playing for the "Country Kings", he led the league in home runs many times.  After seeing a notice about a horseshoe tournament at the Frederick Horseshoe Club, he attended, didn't do well, but was impressed watching some of the best pitchers throw ringer after ringer.  The courts were pro grade with court pads and walkways.  The pits were filled with soft blue clay, not sand or dirt.  He promptly joined the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the Frederick Club.  He built a professional court in his back hard, complete with lights.  He also built courts at various private clubs and residences.  After 3 years of constant practice, he became one of the top pitchers in Maryland, many times in the top 50 N.H.P.A. pitchers and finished 10th in the nation in league play, quite an accomplishment considering that at the time there were 12,000 members in the N.H.P.A.  He also belonged to 2 Pro Tours, put on exhibitions at local and state fairs, and pitched in N.H.P.A. Tournaments from Florida to Michigan.  He built a 60' by 30' building on his property housing 2 courts, and many tournaments were housed there.  He earned the Presidential Sports Award, signed by George H.W. Bush, himself an avid horseshoe pitcher.  He pitched 6 perfect games - all ringers- in his over 30 year career and was inducted into the Maryland Horseshoe Association Hall of Fame in 2011.  He was a true ambassador for the game, and also enjoyed a cold beer or TEN.
 
He was an officer and long-time member of Frederick Moose Lodge #371, Frederick Elks Lodge #684, American Legion Post 11, National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Maryland H.P.A. and Frederick Horseshoe Club for over 30 years.  He also belonged to International Game Fish Association and Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society.
 
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two cousins Don and Dale Shomette, several nieces and nephews,  grand nieces and nephews; cousins, Julie Dahmer, Cam Hitchcock Sr. as well as second cousins Bridget and Derek; and third cousins: Cameron, Jr., Livi and Hannah.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Frederick Moose Lodge #371, 828 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701 on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.   A dedication ceremony of the Horseshoe Courts, which he had built will immediately follow.