Donald Shelby

My mother, Frances Mariposa, was a member of St. Mark's Methodist Church in Clairemont back in the 70's when Rev. Shelby was there. Rev. Shelby provided counseling and encouragement to my mother in a very uncertain time of her life. His compassion and kindness was truly a blessing and inspiration.

As a graduate student at UCSD for 6 years , I enjoyed singing in St Mark´s choir & listening to Don´s excellent sermons. In fact, I still have some of the printed copies & hope to review them again soon. I just wanted his family to know how much of an impact he had on me, & that I still appreciate the restored sense of perspective he gave me each Sunday. Ray Russell

I forgot to say in my earlier remarks that Don spoke along with several other preachers at my mother, Lillian King’s, funeral in 1978. He attended the 100th reunion of Torrance UMC in 1996 and that was when I last saw him and my friend, his niece Cindy.

I am so happy for the privilege of making the guest book permanent and to write in it.

Don Shelby was my youth pastor at Torrance UMC and the uncle of two of my childhood friends, Cindy Routh and Bob Shelby. My mother, Lillian King, was church secretary when he was there and typed his thesis (not on church time!). He was very much loved by all. I remember his wonderful singing voice and being in youth choir when he directed it. He always said the bénédiction had his name in it ...

In memory of Rev. Don Shelby and in honor of the wonderful minister/teacher/friend he was to our entire family.

Don Shelby was a mentor and friend whom I never met, but he touched my life, nurtured my soul, and enhanced my ministry. A good friend, Mary Birgelaitis, introduced me to Don's sermons in 1979. I subscribed for years.

During my seminary years and early years in the ministry, Don's sermons became the centerpiece of my personal worship time. I found that in order to preach to others, I needed to sit under someone else's preaching. Don modeled excellence in preaching which this...

As a teenager, my late wife Barbara Norton Young was a member of Rev. Don Shelby's congregation in Hacienda Heights. She so much admired him and his qualities that, after her family, he was the first person she introduced me to. He later counseled us and performed our marriage ceremony in 1964. Over the next 30 years we kept in touch with Don and Jean as they and we moved from place to place. When Barbara was taken from us in an unexpected and sudden manner in 1994 Don was one of the...

Reverend Shelby was truly a light unto this world, showing us all a path towards love and redemption. I will miss him greatly but know that his Lord is welcoming him "home" at last.

Dear Jean,
Even though I didn't know Don very well, I'll always keep
a fond memory of you both when we walked our dogs around Monarch Grove - Don was such a kind and gentle man, who obviously loved God with all his heart. May the God of all comfort bless you and all your family mightily, knowing that we will see Don again -