Jerry Dwayne Shelton, age 90, of Bullard (formerly of Mount Pleasant), went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 25, 2026, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Virginia Patterson Shelton; daughter and son-in-law Vickey and Park Robertson of Bullard; son and daughter-in-law Chuck and Debbie Shelton of Corpus Christi; grandchildren Lauren Gibbs (Sonny) of Tyler, Lindsey Lake (Jerrod) of Bullard, Taren Martin (Jacob) of Pettus, Serena Baus (Brett) of Corpus Christi, Kevin Lebsack (Stephanie) of Forney, and Marc Harris (Moriah) of Longview; and great-grandchildren Jacob Gibbs, Caroline Gibbs, Jase Lake, Lathan Lake, Joah Martin, Piper Martin, Lina Martin, Autumn Baus, Mary Lebsack, Karter Lebsack, Grant Harris, and Jocelyn Harris.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Marie Shelton; brother Billy Ben Shelton; and infant sister Sylvia Sue Shelton.
Jerry was born October 31, 1935, in Honey Grove and later moved to Mount Pleasant, where he graduated high school. As a boy, he fell in love with golf after being invited to play with a friend and his father. Jerry and his brother Billy later caddied at Mount Pleasant Country Club, often hitchhiking there because it was safe to do so in those days. Golf remained a lifelong passion, and he later shared that love with his son Chuck. The brothers continued playing together five days a week after retirement. Jerry was also part of the Mount Pleasant High School golf team that advanced to state. He was very active in coaching youth baseball for many years.
Jerry accepted Christ at age 11 at Nevill's Chapel Baptist Church and was baptized in Jack Langston’s pool. He helped start East Side Missionary Baptist Church, faithfully serving as a deacon, worship leader, Sunday school teacher, pastor search committee member, and lay preacher. Church and faith were central to his family’s life.
Over the years, Jerry worked at the country club, sold cars for the Ford dealership in Mount Pleasant, worked for Firmin Office Supply, and served as a draftsman for the State Highway Department helping build Interstate 30 from Franklin County to Morris County. He later worked for American Petrofina Oil Company, later Conoco, before retiring in 1994 from Grapevine.
Retirement didn’t last long. Jerry soon took a custodial job at E.C. Brice Elementary, where he became adored by students and teachers and was voted Employee of the Year, twice. He always kept milk money ready for children who needed it and quietly showed kindness wherever he could.
Jerry was a quiet, hardworking, Godly man who lived simply and generously. He wrote poetry, played piano and guitar, loved singing, camping, arrowhead hunting, metal detecting, coin collecting, animals, and the music of John Denver. He loved joking with people, and if Jerry gave you a nickname, you knew he truly cared about you.
Above all, Jerry was devoted to his family. He lovingly cared for Virginia through many years of health struggles and continued trying to care for her even while battling illness himself. She remained the love and light of his life.
The family would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to hospice caregivers Kara, Barbara, Beverly, Cole, Eddie, and Ray for their compassion, comfort, and exceptional care during Jerry’s final days.
Jerry will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A graveside service will be held Friday, May 29th at 2:00pm at Nevill’s Chapel Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.