Sheldon Robert Massey

Sheldon Robert Massey, age 80, of Amarillo, died October 15, 2024 in Amarillo. 

A memorial service to honor Sheldon’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, 4100 South Georgia. 

Sheldon was born in Amarillo to his parents, Ansel and Betty Gene Massey, on August 18, 1944. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1962, and according to his mother, "Sheldon could do no wrong," his siblings, on the other hand, may not have fully agreed with that statement. 

Sheldon worked for almost 30 years at Santa Fe Railroad, living in both Amarillo and Topeka, KS. He later worked at Waste Management Corporation, which took him to Chicago, IL, but he was able to finish out his career back home in his beloved Texas at Bowie Middle School, where he had a significant impact on the students and the larger community. 

He never met a stranger and loved to connect with people through stories. His life was characterized by good citizenship and being a proud Texan. He loved Amarillo High School and attended monthly alumni dinners whenever possible. Sheldon was also a committed blood donor, a proud member of the NRA, and spent much of his leisure time driving his many Harley-Davidsons.

Near the top of the things he loved were his Rottweilers– Scooter, Dakota, and Duke, whom he considered family. Sheldon was also a devoted football fan, particularly faithful to UT and the Dallas Cowboys, but he also enjoyed several years on the field as a Referee for Panhandle High School Football games. Sheldon lived a full life and loved telling stories about his days spent driving the “Double A” Dragster (that he and his brother Dwaine built in their Dad’s garage) at the Amarillo Dragway, his work restoring his beautiful classic 1962 Corvette, and recounting his days spent traveling thousands of miles across the United States on his motorcycles attending Sturgis and beyond. Sheldon never did anything halfway; if he was interested in something, he put everything he had into it. 

Sheldon was preceded in death by the untimely passing of both of his beloved children, whom he loved fiercely: Brian Todd Massey in 1997 and, most recently, his daughter, Shanna Massey, in May 2024. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dwaine, and a grandson, Timmy McCullough. Despite these losses, Sheldon's love for his family never wavered. 

Sheldon is survived by his brother, Lyndon Massey, and wife Beverly; his sister, Brenda Reese, and husband David, all of Amarillo; his grandchildren, Taylor Lemaster of San Angelo, Camron Lackey of Amarillo, and Zachary Locke of Farmers Branch; his three great-grandsons, Morgan Lackey and Liam and Rowen Lemaster and his many beloved friends he made along the way.