J. M. Shelton's Obituary
Shelton Jr., J.M. No eye has seen No ear has heard No Mind has conceived What God has prepared for those who love him. II Cor. 29:9 J.M. Shelton, Jr. Born in Conway, Arkansas to John Marion Shelton and Doddie Cavin, passed away August 4 of Cardio respiratory arrest. Preceeded in death of his Mother when he was 18 mos. old, his father married Essie Reynolds when he was five yrs and was given a wonderful life of love and attention from his #2 Mom. He was preceeded in death by his father, John Marion, Mother, Essie and daughter Susan Rader. He was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather and was the happiest when his family was around or “just planning to be around them.” He spent several wonderful vacations with his children in England, France, and Italy, and took many cruises. He was a truly loyal friend and we will always remember his genuine concern for his fellow man, who lived his faith and will be dearly missed. He is now at peace in the presence of God. We, too are at peace remembering that to live in the hearts of others is to never truly die. He graduated from Prosper High School and attended UTA and completed man Corp. Administrative and Management courses at SMU. He served in the Merchant Marines in 1944-45. He married Helen Shrum Liland and her two small sons, John and David (He immediately named “Little Son” and “Big Son”) in 1965, and enjoyed 45 years of Family. He returned from service and began a career in Manufacturing Engineering with Vought Corp. Grand Prairie, TX and retired after serving 37 years in various Management and Administrative groups as a Manufacturing Engineer. Some of the key projects he was involved in was the F-missle, F8U-3, and B-2Stalth Bomber. After retirment, he took his part time project of designing and manufacturing lumbar fusion surgical devices to a higher level and went to a full pledge Shelton Engineering and Manufacturing Corp., which later became internationally known as “Semco Corp” with his nephew Dale Shelton. It was listed as one of the top Texas manufacturing companies in the Dallas Business Journal. He achieved outstanding rave material in Dr. Crock, of Austrailia books. He later built a specially designed line of interior Lumbar fusion surgical devices for Dr. Crock to be used in his hospital in Australia. The Semco Catalog carried over 200 lower back medical designed devices. After three major expansions, he sold to a company under another umbrella and fully retired in 1993. A Schonce Republican , he was interested with patriotism and appreciation for the American Democratic way of life. Known as “Papa” by his family, he delighted in the arrival of each grand and great-grandchild. His wisdon, discipline, perserverance and judgment have been a source of inspiration and guidance. He loved people, loved working, loved keeping a beautiful yard, he loved duck tape, Elmers and super glue; he could fix anything. He was a devoted and long time member of Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church giving his time and talents for over 40 years. He enjoyed taking the church news mail to the post office, served on numerous committees and was an avid supporter of all the church choirs and expecially the children and youth groups and with pride boaasts of being one of the original members of the new life Sunday School class. He gave up golf and physical hobbies due to unsuccessfull back surgery in his younger years. He thoroughly enjoyed spectator sports, TV sports and listening to a sacred and country western music in surround sound. He gave a great deal of time to charities, noteably the visiting Nurses Association Meals on Wheels Program and the Wilkerson Center. He was a member of the Dallas Knife & Fork Club and a long time member of Lakewood Country Club. He is survived by wife Helen, daughter Shirley Hedlund, son John Liland and wife Brenda, son Dr. David Liland, grandchildren Davidson and Olivia Liland, grandchildren Ashley and Jason Pappas and great granddaugher Addison Elizabeth Pappas, grandchildren Amber and Josh Harris and great grandsons Jordan Harris and Judson Shelton Harris (his namesake), grandchildren Gina Teage and Rick and Melissa Dorman, brother William Frank Shelton and wife Sharon, brother Billie Jack Shelton and wife Louise, brother/cousins Dr. James Hill and wife Donna, Lt. Col. (Ret) Paul Coughlin and wife Sara, sister-in-law Billie Wyrick, several neices and nephews, and extended neices and nephews Tom and Delene Bell and Chad and Rhea Bell. Honorary Pall Bearers, New Life Sunday School Class. Pallbearers Tom Bell, Jason Pappas, Josh Harris, Chad Bell, Dale Shelton, Ross Spinzzolla, Steve Vastine and Andrew Nolan. Family will receive friends Thursday August 6th, 2009 from 6pm-8pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75243. Memorial Services will be held Friday August 7th at 10:30am Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 East Lovers Lane Dallas, TX 75214. Family requests memorials be made to: Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church Building Fund, 6445 E. Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX, 75214
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