Baxter (Jack) 85, passed away July 1, 2024 with his wife and family at his side.
Jack was born in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas on July 26, 1938. At four years of age, Jack’s family and baby brother Ben moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas. Jack lived there through high school and participated in sports, baseball, basketball and track. Jack continued on to Arkansas State College and graduated with a bachelors degree in chemistry.
His first job took him to North Carolina then on to Northern California.
Jack and Kathleen met in the summer of 1963 while aboard an airplane and married in January of 1964. After their son, Carey, was born Jack wanted to move his family to Arkansas and by 1968 they relocated to Mesa, Arizona where he joined Motorola as an engineer in the semiconductor field.
Later Jack started his onw company Shelton Whitlock and Shelton (SWS). After his retirement he enjoyed golf, tennis and his family. Jack loved to watch sports on the television. Hence there were 2 TV’s in his office. He also loved listening to old Rock and Roll music and Blues.
Jack was a good man who loved family and many friends from Junior High through high school. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Baxter Franklin Shelton Sr, Tersia Garrett, his brothers Ben, and Tom and nephews Matthew and John. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, sister Judy Collins, son Carey Shelton and wife, Deborah, his grandson Michael Shelton and wife Lindsey, and great grandson Jackson Shelton.
Kathy & boys… What a wonderful picture of Jack! That big ole laugh we’ve all seen so many times. He was one of a kind. I think that I first loved him at South Elementary School! He was always so nice to me. And his dear Mama…I loved her a lot too.. Like you said to me today “Judy is the only one of those siblings left; all the boys are gone”. When you get to be 86 like we (Jack’s old childhood friends) all are, you just can’t wrap your head around the losses that come so often & close together. I still cannot believe that Jack AND Alice are both gone within 10 days of each other. You, Kathy, and your boys are in my thoughts and prayers. I’ve walked the painful path that you are walking, so my heart hurts for you from personal experience. If I could tell you any advice that would make this path easier…. But there’s no magic to divulge. Except that I leaned heavily on The Lord, and there’s no doubt that’s what got me through. I was only 49 when widowed & Paul was only 56. Maybe one way you might be better able to handle your terrible loss would be thinking often how long a marriage you had and being appreciative for that…even when you might not mean it wholeheartedly! We simply must treat ourselves like the humans we are…feeding ourselves positivities at every turn we can. Some funeral homes offer grief groups. Surrounding yourself with others you know who have walked this same path you must walk is often helpful. It helps to hear experiences from others that say to you “you’re not crazy; I felt this too”. One day soon after Paul died my daughter and I were emptying the dishwasher. She was speaking and I saw her mouth moving but I could not hear her & I told her that. She was shocked! “Really? Really??? That’s what’s happening to me too! I thought I was going crazy!” So that’s what I mean about other widows may be of help in the weeks, months ahead. And I hope you know you can always call me….night or day. Sending you & yours my love, Kathy. I did see Jack’s obit and Alice’s as well tonight. When I spoke to Charles (who I mentioned to you) he had already seen both and notified our classmates still with us. Bill found the obits & sent them to Charles, so I didn’t call Bill in Jonesboro. Hugs, Peg