Raymond Shelton

Raymond Shelton, 87 of Saginaw, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

Due to COVID restrictions, services are pending at this this time.

Ray was born in a small country town in Vienna, Illinois on December 13, 1933, to Ward and Lillian (Gage) Shelton, who preceded him in death. He grew up on a farm, worked tirelessly in the fields and used that knowledge into adulthood. He moved to Texas to attend college, and while working in a grocery store, met his wife of 56 years, Lou. They often joked that on their first date at the drive-in, Momma fell asleep halfway through the movie. The next thing she knew, she was on the floorboard of the car with Dad laying on top of her. She was frantic trying to figure out “what kind of boy” she had gone out with. She quickly learned a tornado was blowing through the field close to where the car was parked. He ended up being her hero instead of what she initially thought! They later married on August 13, 1961. They lived in Michigan, Indiana, and different parts of Texas, landing in the Fort Worth area in 1982 and stayed until his death

Raymond was a lifelong, active member of the Church of Christ. He was the pulpit minister for Dowagiac Michigan Church of Christ several years and a Deacon at the University Drive Church of Christ, where he ran the benevolence program. He baptized each of his 5 children and grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, farming, quilting, photography, all sports, and corny dad jokes. Mostly, he enjoyed being with his family. He was fiercely protective of us, and nothing came before his wife and kids. He never missed any activity each of his kids and grandkids would participate in, cheering the loudest of anybody around. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for us. He willingly participated in all our silly family antics and enjoyed laughing as loud as we did.

Raymond is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 56 years, Lou Shelton; one sister; bonus sons, Homer Cooper and Ronnie Brown, and his 4-legged companion, Misty.

Survivors include his children, Melanie Cooper, Karla Brown, Kristi Galindo, Marcy Meiergerd and Scott Shelton; Grandkids, Whitney, Tiffany (Mathies), Haylie (Corey), Kendyl (Brandon), Justin (Gina), Jake (Summer), Bryce, Brayden, Kenzi; eight great-grand kids with another girl on the way; Bonus children, Dominick Galindo, Bob Meiergerd, Tammie Shelton; sister, Diane McMahon, nieces, nephews, and his loving 4-legged baby, Chewy.

Our family would like to thank The Palliative Care Unit at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and Heart to Heart Hospice for working so diligently alongside of us. Thank you for making our dad’s last days with us peaceful and doing everything possible for whatever he needed. Thank you, also for taking care of us as well.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Biggers Funeral Home for your kindness while caring for both of our parents. We are so grateful to all of you.