Obituary of T.J. Shelton October 27, 1929 - January 22, 2025 U.S. Veteran

A Celebration of T.J. Shelton’s Life, age 95, of Jasper, Texas, will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Magnolia Springs Methodist Church, Kirbyville, Texas with burial to follow at Magnolia Springs Cemetery in the Magnolia Springs Community of Jasper County, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the funeral home.

T.J. passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Timberidge Nursing and Rehabilitation in Jasper, Texas.

A native of Rotan, Texas and resident of Jasper, Texas since 1971, T.J. retired from the United States Army after 26 years of service and was also a member of VFW 6380 of Jasper.

His years in the military took him from Ft. Benning Georgia where he served as a heavy equipment operator and instructor in the 337th Artillery, to the 23rd Engineers in Germany and served as a Battalion Motor Sargent in Vietnam. He was always proud to serve his country. After retiring from the army, he worked for the Texas Highway Department for several years.

He loved nothing more than planting a garden at Magnolia Springs with his wife Toy by his side. Riding a tractor was a lifelong joy. It was a treat when Allison and Megan would visit them and he could teach them how to dig potatoes. He bought each of his granddaughters a horse because then they wanted to go to Magnolia Springs everyday after school! He often would buy the groceries of the person ahead of him in Wal-Mart. He was a generous and compassionate person. But he was an Army Sargent and knew how to take charge. He was a blessing and will be so missed by many.

T.J. is survived by his daughter, Tammy Gerard and husband Mike of Fayetteville, GA; grandchildren, Allison Kang and husband Andrew of Atlanta, GA and Megan Gerard of Portland, OR and great grandchildren, Charlotte and James Kang.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy J. and Opal Shelton and his wife, Toy Horn Shelton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3196 US Highway 190 W, Jasper, Texas 75951.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home of Jasper.