Obituary for D. J. Shelby, Jr.
SHELBY
D.J. Shelby, Jr., age 80, life long resident of Harmon County, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
D.J. was born in Harmon County, near the Ron community, on July 30, 1930, to Dennis James and Bonnie D. (Carrick) Shelby. A 1948 graduate of Ron High School, D.J. farmed after he graduated and later joined the United States Air Force in 1952, where he proudly served his country in the Korean War. After his discharge he began college at Southwestern where he met Reta Kastner, the love of his life. They were married on November 28, 1957, and spent the next fifty-three wonderful years together until his death. After their marriage they established their home in Hollis. He farmed with his dad and brother-in-law, Lavon Kirby, for thirty years and continued to farm with his sons, Trent and Terry since that time. D.J. accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. He loved his church, serving in the nursery department for over thirty-five years. His usher door will never be the same where he passed out bulletins and candy! Some of D.J.'s favorite pastimes were attending sporting events, golfing, attending livestock shows, spending time in Red River, New Mexico at Papa D.J.'s Place, working with Angel, and most of all, spending time with grandchildren and family.
Preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Cora Osburn Kastner and Elmer Kastner, one grandson, Joshua Scott, one sister Jolea Kirby and husband, Lavon, one nephew Kale Kirby and a great nephew, Ty Webb. He is survived by his wife Reta, of the home; four children, Tina Scott and husband Randy of McQueen, Terry Shelby and wife Karla of Hollis, Thel Shelby of Hollis, and Trent Shelby and wife Kristin of Hollis; eight grandchildren, Hagen Scott, Cooper Scott, Dylan Shelby, Bo Shelby, Kynadi Shelby, Crosbi Shelby, Hadli Shelby, and Brody Shelby; one niece, Karla Webb and husband, Marty and their sons, Tane and Jace; and his right hand man, Angel Gonzales, along with many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for D.J. Shelby will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Hollis First Baptist Church with Derek Dennis officiating. A reception will follow the service and the interment will be at 4:00 pm, Fairmount Cemetery.
The family will greet friends at Harmon County Funeral Home on Thursday, April 28, 2011, from 6:30-8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Hollis First Baptist Church Life Center or a charity of choice.
Online tributes may be made to the family at www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com
04/28/2011
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
Visitation
Harmon County Funeral Home
Hollis
OK
04/30/2011
2:00 PM
Funeral
Hollis First Baptist Church
Hollis
OK
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D.J. Shelby, Jr., age 80, life long resident of Harmon County, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
D.J. was born in Harmon County, near the Ron community, on July 30, 1930, to Dennis James and Bonnie D. (Carrick) Shelby. A 1948 graduate of Ron High School, D.J. farmed after he graduated and later joined the United States Air Force in 1952, where he proudly served his country in the Korean War. After his discharge he began college at Southwestern where he met Reta Kastner, the love of his life. They were married on November 28, 1957, and spent the next fifty-three wonderful years together until his death. After their marriage they established their home in Hollis. He farmed with his dad and brother-in-law, Lavon Kirby, for thirty years and continued to farm with his sons, Trent and Terry since that time. D.J. accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at an early age. He loved his church, serving in the nursery department for over thirty-five years. His usher door will never be the same where he passed out bulletins and candy! Some of D.J.'s favorite pastimes were attending sporting events, golfing, attending livestock shows, spending time in Red River, New Mexico at Papa D.J.'s Place, working with Angel, and most of all, spending time with grandchildren and family.
Preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Cora Osburn Kastner and Elmer Kastner, one grandson, Joshua Scott, one sister Jolea Kirby and husband, Lavon, one nephew Kale Kirby and a great nephew, Ty Webb. He is survived by his wife Reta, of the home; four children, Tina Scott and husband Randy of McQueen, Terry Shelby and wife Karla of Hollis, Thel Shelby of Hollis, and Trent Shelby and wife Kristin of Hollis; eight grandchildren, Hagen Scott, Cooper Scott, Dylan Shelby, Bo Shelby, Kynadi Shelby, Crosbi Shelby, Hadli Shelby, and Brody Shelby; one niece, Karla Webb and husband, Marty and their sons, Tane and Jace; and his right hand man, Angel Gonzales, along with many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for D.J. Shelby will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Hollis First Baptist Church with Derek Dennis officiating. A reception will follow the service and the interment will be at 4:00 pm, Fairmount Cemetery.
The family will greet friends at Harmon County Funeral Home on Thursday, April 28, 2011, from 6:30-8:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Hollis First Baptist Church Life Center or a charity of choice.
Online tributes may be made to the family at www.HarmonCountyFuneral.com
04/28/2011
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
Visitation
Harmon County Funeral Home
Hollis
OK
04/30/2011
2:00 PM
Funeral
Hollis First Baptist Church
Hollis
OK
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