Jack Merrill Shelton

Celebration of Life for Jack Merrill Shelton, 72, will be held at Brookwood Baptist Church, 9014 Brookwood Church Way (I-49 at Bert Kouns) on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m., followed by a gathering time for family & friends at the church. Rev. John Harp will officiate the Celebration Service. Because of Jack\'s unique sense of humor and upbeat approach to life, Nancy requests that those attending his Celebration wear light/bright colors...NO black, please! Jack was born on November 22, 1944 to Jack and Martha Mackie Shelton in Shreveport and went Home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 29, 2017, following a brief battle with brain cancer. He was an avid golfer, loved reading, telling jokes, bowling, and singing in the church Choir. Jack was an active member of Brookwood Baptist Church and prior long time, active member of Central Christian Church. Jack graduated from Byrd High School in 1963 and attended LSU. He began his varied work career early as a paperboy for The Times, then as an employee of Toy Fair. He was at one time a traveling salesman but spent most of his work life in retail sales to include Palais Royal, Rubensteins, & Selber Bros. Many remember Jack at Squires Tuxedo where he worked for many years. He was, also, a long time employee of Porter\'s Cleaners from which he retired. Jack was a fascinating friend, known as the consummate Southern Gentleman, giving special attention to senior adults - likely inspired by the grandmother with whom he grew up. He was also exceedingly funny, frequently displaying his clever sense of humor, perfectly timed. Jack could disrupt a Brookwood choir practice with his jokes & pranks, and that group expects he is doing the same with the Heavenly Choir! A lover of music, Jack knew the words (& other extraneous info) to every pop song from the 60s - the 80s (and owned most of the albums!). Nancy wants to thank their church families at Brookwood Baptist Church (especially the Dave Baker Life Group) and at Central Christian Church (especially longtime friends from the Keystone Sunday School Class) for their outpouring of love through prayers, meals, cards & other kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, she suggests memorial gifts be given to Brookwood Baptist Church or Central Christian Church, or to MD Anderson Cancer Center (for research - either GBM or NHL). In addition, deep gratitude is expressed to St. Joseph\'s Hospice nurses Suzie & Charlotte plus neighbors Cay Green, Phyllis Wilkins, and Spencer Bailey for their care & support. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents, Harvey & Mary Shelton; maternal grandparents, Joe & Ada \"Muddy\" Cleveland; brother-in-law, David Felker; and Jeff Edman, his golfing buddy who was like a brother to him. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 34 1/2 years, Nancy Lehr Shelton; sisters-in-law, Terry Felker-Dillman (Buddy Dillman) and Betsy Clem (Rick); nephews, Cade & Justin Felker (Erin), and Jason Wright; nieces, Amy Felker and Stephanie Wright (T-Paul Lindsey); great nephews, Tre and Joseph Lindsey; great nieces, June & Lilly Felker, and Alyssa Wright; cousins, David Cleveland (Carmelita) and Patricia Wall; and other extended family members & special friends. Jack never met a stranger & loved unconditionally, in addition to his deep love for Jesus Christ. Our loss of a husband, brother-in-law, & uncle is Heaven\'s gain. \"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.\" - Psalm 116:15