Stuart Harrison Shelton, 82, of Stafford County passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Carriage Hill Nursing Home. He was the son of the late Lindsey Thomas Shelton and Laura Jones Shelton. Stuart was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
As a young boy growing up on a farm, he enjoyed rabbit hunting with his late brother, Lindsey Thomas Shelton, Jr. Stuart loved his brother and valued family dearly. He saw himself as a caretaker of his widowed sister-in-law, Audrey Shelton, before she passed. For most of his life, Stuart lived in the family home until he moved to Tylerton.
Stuart was an avid New York Yankees fan. He excelled playing baseball. He was captain and MVP his senior year at Stafford High School. He was also the MVP player for the American Legion Post 55 team in 1955. He played semi-professional ball for White Oak.
Mr. Shelton served in the United States Navy Reserves. He served aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the blockade of Cuba, Vietnam, and when Kennedy was assassinated. Stuart was a member of the first nuclear air group to circle the world. In August 1963, he was recognized as Outstanding Man on the Carrier.
Stuart was a farmer having raised Black Angus cows that he loved like family. When he could no longer care for his cattle, he passed that responsibility onto Casey and expected daily status updates on his bovine and human friends. He retired from Schwan Consumer Brand of North America.
Survivors include his close friend, Casey Mesimer and his family.
A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Casey Mesimer, Todd Mesimer, Chris Mesimer, Jay Sullivan, Vernon Blaisdell, and Jeff Newton.