Obituary of Jack Dale Shelton

Obituary of Jack Shelton The Life Journey of JACK DALE SHELTON Born August 20, 1932 in Brenham, Texas, Jack Dale Shelton was the seventh of eight children born to Edward Sylvester Shelton and Geneva Harris (Edward, Jr., Susie Eunice, Atris, Harold, Helen Elsie, Gene Austin, Jack Dale and Richard Earl). Their parents, particularly “Mama Shelton,” taught the children to stick together and look out for each other. If you knew one Shelton, you knew them all, and if you challenged one, you dealt with them all. Jack completed his elementary and secondary education in Brenham, and became one of the darlings of his high school. In high school he excelled academically, starred as a football player, and graduated at age sixteen (16). Excited to see what life outside of Brenham, Texas could be, Jack Shelton followed his older siblings to Los Angeles, California. Jack moved in with his older sister and brother-in-law, Susie and Bob Brinkley, and began his new West Coast life. Always the student, Jack attended Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He entered military service, serving in the United States Army, and received an Honorable Discharge. Jack worked as a brick mason for a short period of time. He later was employed as electronic technician with McDonald Douglas and later Rockwell Aircraft Company, where he remained until retirement. In his younger days, he would always have a piece of equipment close by with which he tinkered, learning how it was put together or with a plan to “fix it.” While attending Los Angeles City College, Jack Shelton met Maggie Lucy Singleton from Galveston, Texas. They married in 1959 and to their union two children were born, Janice Loray and Diane. Diane, only an infant at the time, preceded him in death in 1961. Jack, who had an inquisitive mind, loved reading and made a hobby of “learning Spanish.” His life-time hobby, however, was golf. He was an avid golfer and, after retirement, could be found on most days on some golf course. When he traveled, he found the nearest golf course to practice his game. If he wasn’t involved in or on the hunt for a golf game, he was “hitting a bucket of balls.” Having been raised in a God-fearing home, Jack wanted to be more involved with a local body of believers. He joined Trinity Baptist Church to fellowship with other believers and to strengthen his walk with Christ. Always a Bible student, Jack joined the men’s fellowship to increase his understanding of God’s Word. Jack Shelton was devoted to his family. Just as his mother had taught him to stick close, Jack kept close contact with his daughter, Janice, though she grew up in Galveston, Texas. He encouraged all efforts to “better yourself” with education or skills, supporting Janice throughout her years in college and law school. He continued that tradition with his three grandchildren, Maggie Janelle, Moriah Kenya, and Mekhi Robert Shelton, born to Janice and husband Vincent Parker, living in Dallas, Texas. Jack’s other primary family life was rooted in the many years he shared with his “baby brother” Richard Shelton, the youngest of the Shelton family. Richard and Jack were almost inseparable. Jack loved to go to the Shelton Barber Shop to have his brother, Richard, and later his nephew, Randy, shape him up in the chair. Thelma, Richard’s wife, was charged with keeping the two brothers in line, no easy task. With his daughter and grandchildren in Texas, Jack loved to spend time and dote on Michelle (Mickey), Jackie (Jack), Ricardo (Ricky), Randall (Randy) and Roderick (Rod), and their beautiful children and grandchildren. Jack was also loved and cared for by his niece, Laqueta Joyce Shelton. Joyce faithfully drove “Mr. Daisy” to medical appointments and hospital visits, waiting patiently for him. Joyce often rescheduled her personal calendar to assist her uncle. Jack Shelton always took his health and fitness seriously, ensuring he exercised sufficiently and ate correctly; consequently, as his health began to wane he sought the best options for providing the best life. Jack spent the last few months working on health matters with his family in Dallas, Texas. Jack Shelton was charming and challenging — a proud, independent thinker, who lived a full life until the Lord graciously called him to glory.