Obituary for Arthur Leland Shelton
Arthur Leland Shelton, 87, of Hereford, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Avenue Baptist Church in Hereford with Pastor Billy Joe Wall officiating.
Born May 17, 1936 in Taft, California to Olin and Thelma Shelton. He was the 2nd of 5 children. Leland was a graduate of Dimmitt High School. He joined the Army after High School, where he became a paratrooper.
In 1958, Leland moved to Hereford and began working for B&O Spraying Co. In 1960, he met Mary Patton, the love of his life, and they were married on July 30, 1961. Shortly after their marriage he started flying lessons and in 1964, he got the opportunity to become a partner in the company, and it became Whiteface Aviation. He was the managing partner until 1986, when he became the sole owner. During his time in the industry, he received many awards and recognition. He was proud of his service in the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association and the National Agricultural Aviation Association, where he served as president of both in 1983 and 1985. He was chairman of the committee that developed Operation SAFE, which has been instrumental in the industry concerning spray patterns and drift control.
Leland was a great hard-working husband, father, and grandpa. Always proud of his family and loved having family get togethers. He also loved the times he spent in Ruidoso. He enjoyed his family, friends, working, playing golf, fishing, and many other things.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary, of Hereford; sons, Terry and his wife, Sandy of Hereford, Jeff and his wife, Kim of Crockett; grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Nathan, Tanner and wife, Whitney, Raegan and husband, Ryan, Peyton, Teagan and wife, Sydney and Macie; great grandchildren, Sonen, Cora, Wesley, and Lyla; brother, Jerry and wife, Beth of Tulia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Laquita Griffith and Melba Conard, and a brother, Donald Shelton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Avenue Baptist Church, 130 N 25 Mile Ave, Hereford, TX 79045 or to Hereford Senior Citizens Center, 426 Ranger St., Hereford, TX 79045.
Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Avenue Baptist Church in Hereford with Pastor Billy Joe Wall officiating.
Born May 17, 1936 in Taft, California to Olin and Thelma Shelton. He was the 2nd of 5 children. Leland was a graduate of Dimmitt High School. He joined the Army after High School, where he became a paratrooper.
In 1958, Leland moved to Hereford and began working for B&O Spraying Co. In 1960, he met Mary Patton, the love of his life, and they were married on July 30, 1961. Shortly after their marriage he started flying lessons and in 1964, he got the opportunity to become a partner in the company, and it became Whiteface Aviation. He was the managing partner until 1986, when he became the sole owner. During his time in the industry, he received many awards and recognition. He was proud of his service in the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association and the National Agricultural Aviation Association, where he served as president of both in 1983 and 1985. He was chairman of the committee that developed Operation SAFE, which has been instrumental in the industry concerning spray patterns and drift control.
Leland was a great hard-working husband, father, and grandpa. Always proud of his family and loved having family get togethers. He also loved the times he spent in Ruidoso. He enjoyed his family, friends, working, playing golf, fishing, and many other things.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary, of Hereford; sons, Terry and his wife, Sandy of Hereford, Jeff and his wife, Kim of Crockett; grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Nathan, Tanner and wife, Whitney, Raegan and husband, Ryan, Peyton, Teagan and wife, Sydney and Macie; great grandchildren, Sonen, Cora, Wesley, and Lyla; brother, Jerry and wife, Beth of Tulia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Laquita Griffith and Melba Conard, and a brother, Donald Shelton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Avenue Baptist Church, 130 N 25 Mile Ave, Hereford, TX 79045 or to Hereford Senior Citizens Center, 426 Ranger St., Hereford, TX 79045.