Gary Shelton

Gary Shelton will always be remembered for his kind, caring style along with his quick humorous wit and quiet demeanor. His family was at his bedside when he passed away on Wednesday February 11 th from a variety of medical complications.

Gary was born in Boonville, Indiana on May 1, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy Shelton and Evva Glenn. While his childhood years were spent in Miami, he often fondly recalled the summers he spent working on the family farm in rural Indiana. His father, an officer in the City of Miami Mounted Patrol Unit, owned a ranch in the area where Gary developed an interest in horses and amateur bull riding. He graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1956 and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was always a devoted Gator football fan. In addition to serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, he also worked at Sears Roebuck and Company where he met his wife, Peggy Swanson. Some of the best years of their lives were spent in Miami Florida with longtime friends Joe and Kay Quinn. There were always lot of stories from the "good old days". His greatest joy was deep sea fishing with Joe and others off the Miami Florida coast and the Keys. It wasn't always successful but getting out on the blue water made it all worthwhile.

Seeking greater opportunity, Gary, Peggy and their infant daughter Lisa moved to the Bay Area in 1968. He worked as a golf pro at the former Sunol Golf Course admitting later that he never really cared much about playing golf. Eventually he partnered with his brother-in-law, the late Jim Otto, opening a Union City liquor store, expanding to an additional location in Fremont and later taking full ownership of both locations. Running these two businesses involved his dedication to long hours and hard work to assure their success. He helped organize a local buying group and served as its president. Sensing the evolution of the smaller retail stores in the shadow of the large chains, he sold the stores in 1988 and joined Southern Wine and Spirits in a sales capacity travelling in a wide territory within and outside the Bay Area. His strong work ethic kept him active with the company until he was 80 years old.

He was a sports fan his entire life. There was almost always a game on the television when visitors entered the room. He was also an avid fan of the Raiders from the time he arrived in California and he remained fully committed after the team left Oakland.

Gary is survived locally by his wife of 64 years, Peggy Shelton, his daughter Lisa Shelton (Billy Ray) his son Chad Shelton (Kay Zimmerman), grandson Jonah Shelton, and his sister Ramona Glenn of Sarasota, Florida. No services are planned. He will be memorialized somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean off south Florida at a future date. Thanks to Gary for touching the lives and hearts of many people.