Thomas Shelton II

1961 - 2013

Thomas Holtzman Shelton, II

LAFAYETTE - Thomas Holtzman Shelton, II, age 51, born July 4th, 1961, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 26, 2013 after a lengthy battle with Diabetes, Renal Disease, and Cardiac Failure. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille.

Interment will be in Lafayette Memorial Park.

Reverend Monsignor Charles Mallet will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Elise Shelton Daly and Richard Mere. Giftbearers will be James Robert Shelton and Emily Elise Daly. Jodie Bollich, organist and soloist, will sing "Be Not Afraid," "Here I Am Lord," "Amazing Grace," Abiding Grace," and "Pie Jesus" for the services.

Tom is survived by his son, James Robert Shelton; his wife, Wendy McCabe Thwaites of West Virginia; his mother, Jolie Landry Shelton; his father, Thomas Robert Shelton; his sister, Elise Shelton-Daly; his niece, Emily Elise Daly; his aunts, Mignon S. Wilson, Carita S. Boutte, Jeanne L. Gavin, Jewell L. Kidder; and maternal grandmother Emma K. Landry.

He was preceded in death by Tom and Melba Shelton (paternal grandparents); and Ashton Landry (maternal grandfather).

Tom was the much beloved son of Jolie and Robert Shelton. He suffered, without complaint, with the exact realization of his debilitating condition. He was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.

Tom was very smart, when he was in the 11th grade, he represented Cathedral High School at State Literary Rally in Physics, where he placed 2nd in the State. Tom was also selected to assist on the Hydraulic Landing Gear for the Mars Probe being developed with NASA through LSU during the 1978 summer session. Tom graduated from Cathedral High in 1979, then studied Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University and NOVA University (a division of Villanova University) in the 1980s. After completing his studies, Tom worked as a Stock Broker for Raymond James Company, when Diabetes Type I struck, causing him to return to Lafayette from Miami. Tom was the founder and owner-operator of CNIS, NET-CONNECT, and NET ZONE pioneers in the internet computer networking service, from 1995-2004, and was one of the first Internet Service Providers (ISP) based in Lafayette. Tom had fond memories of his friends who provided companionship for him on their Thursday night visits.

Tom was raising the love of his life, his 9 year old son, James Robert Shelton, with the joint aid and assistance of his devoted sister, Elise Shelton Daly, and her daughter, Emily Elise Daly.

Pallbearers will be Richard Mere, Sean Pitre, Christopher Lotief, Ted Nolan, Roland Robin, and Mike Parker.

The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until time of service.

A Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in Martin & Castille Funeral Home.

Tom thanks the physicians who ably assisted him, particularly Dr. Ziad Ashkar, Dr. James Dobbs, Dr. Bradley Chastant, II, Dr. Stanley Hoover, Dr. Ladislas Lazaro, IV, Dr. Juan Zeik, and Dr. Joh Schellack.

For I am now ready to be offered,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought the good Fight,

I have finished my course.

I have kept the faith

(Timothy 4:6-8)

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311