Jack LaVerne Sheldon Sr.

Sheldon, Jack LaVerne Sr.
peacefully passed away on June 6, 2011, at a hospital near his home in Mesa, Arizona. He was born December 19, 1925, to Vernon Burr and Nellie Anne (Page) Sheldon in Lansing, Michigan. In 1943 Jack enlisted in the United States Navy, enrolled in the V-12 program, and obtained the rank of V-5 Aviation Cadet by attending Arkansas A&M College and the US Naval Pre-flight School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He was honorably discharged June 30, 1947. Awaiting his discharge, Jack attended and graduated from Spartan School of Aeronautics and received a lifetime certificate as an aircraft and engine mechanic. Jack enjoyed a life-long interest in aeronautics and loved flying his private airplane in the 1980's and 1990's. On December 7, 1946, he married Velma "Bonnie" Shuster, and they recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. They had six children and provided a home for many foster children. Together, they were active in promoting activities for the youth and community groups including the 4-H, Boy Scouts, YMCA, and YWCA, and received an award from the State of Michigan for service to youth. They eventually made their home in Mesa, Arizona, in 1971.
Jack studied at the United Television Laboratories of Louisville, Kentucky, where he received most of his training in the field of electronics. He began repairing televisions in Owosso, Michigan, when the media was in its infancy and earned the nickname "Sarnoff" after one of the early television pioneers. He later owned and operated Westwood TV for a number of years in Mesa. Jack was passionate about his hobby as an Amateur "ham" Radio operator, licensed in Michigan as K8WWK in 1959, and later in Arizona as W7IVB and KG7X. He was a mentor and instructor to many radio enthusiasts, and remembered locally for teaching theory and Morse code at Scottsdale Community College. He was the patriarch ham radio operator in the Sheldon family having inspired sons, daughters, and grandsons to become licensed. He was a long-time member of the Central Arizona DX Association, received numerous awards, and was named Ham Radio Operator of the Year by the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club in 1995. Most of all, he is known for having enjoyed spending time with his extended family. He is survived by his wife and his six children, Diana Wilkes of Norton Shores, Michigan, Neil (Susan Washburn) Sheldon, Sr., of Mesa; Linda Marie Kerlin of Mesa; Niki Sheldon; David Sheldon of Mesa; and Jack (Barbara Oihus) Sheldon, Jr., of Mesa. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Sheldon of Ludington, Michigan, his sister Ruth Eileen Lewandowski of Lansing, Michigan, and one grandchild.
A non-denominational service will be held Saturday, June 18, 9:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 34thh Ward, 2152 East Adobe Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85213. It is located about 200 yards east of Gilbert Road on Adobe. Adobe is a lighted intersection located ½ of the way between University Drive and Brown Road at Gilbert Road. Gilbert Road is accessible from both the (northern) 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway (travel south on Gilbert Road from the 202 passing the McKellips and Brown Road intersections) or the US 60 (travel north on Gilbert Road from US 60 passing Southern, Broadway, Main, and University intersections). In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for Amateur Radio operators to the "Central Arizona DX Association," Post Office Box 24616, Tempe, Arizona 85285-4616. Please note on your remittance "KG7X Memorial Donation." The organization's website is www.cadxa.org. For friends and family not interested in radio, donations are suggested for the "Hospice of the Valley - Fund Development," 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014. Please note "In Memory of Jack Sheldon, Sr." on your remittance. The Hospice of the Valley is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations to them are tax deductible as permitted by law.