John Lockett Shelton

John Lockett Shelton, Jr., of Abilene, Texas, passed away on September 8, 2011. A memorial service will held at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander Street, Abilene, at one o'clock p.m. on Saturday, September 10. Family and friends will gather in the church's Parish Hall following the service. Arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. John was born in Dallas, Texas on June 23, 1932 to Lockett and Ermine Kirkpatrick Shelton. He grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High. He was a second generation graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps. John was employed by Merrill Lynch in New York and Dallas for 22 years. He returned to Abilene in 1976 where he continued his work in the securities industry until his retirement. In Abilene, John was involved in many civic activities. He was a past board member of the Community Foundation of Abilene, past president of the Grace Museum and he was chairman of the centennial committee of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council. John was regarded by all who knew him as a gentleman, and he was also a gentle man. He loved fine food and travel, and he enjoyed many trips throughout Europe and Mexico. John was a member of the Abilene A&M Club, the Petroleum Club, the Abilene Club and the Abilene Country Club. He was also a member in good standing of the Exxon Travel Club. Surviving John are his wife, Susan Batjer Shelton; daughter, Sarah Shelton White, and her husband David, of Longview, Texas; son, Peter Kirkpatrick Shelton, and his wife Julia, of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Laura White Uhlir, and her husband Ray, Henry White, Abigail Shelton and Ford Shelton. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Jennabeth Jones Shelton, and his son John Lockett Shelton III. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rescue the Animals, 5933 S. 1st Street, Abilene, Texas 79605 or the Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander Street, Abilene, Texas 79602.