Marion Lee Shelton

TUSCOLA: Marion (Bud) Lee Shelton, 84, of Tuscola, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020.  Graveside will be Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories directed by Fry-Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola.

Bud was born on September 16, 1936 in Anson, TX to Gladys and Alton B. Shelton.  He graduated from Avoca High School in 1955.  He was a member of the 1955 State Basketball Championship team and later attended McMurry College on a full basketball scholarship.  Bud earned his master’s degree and Superintendent’s certification from Abilene Christian University.  He married Jo Ella Graham on Friday, October 29, 1965 and then coached a Wylie football game afterward.

Bud served over 30 years in education.  His first teaching job was in Grand Prairie, then came back to Valley View in AISD, Wylie ISD, and Lueders-Avoca ISD, serving most of those years at Lueders-Avoca and Wylie.  Bud retired as superintendent of Wylie ISD in 1989 and was later inducted into the Wylie Hall of Honor in 2013.

Bud enjoyed farming and ranching, he farmed and ranched over 40 years in the Avoca, Nugent, Crews, Burkett, and Goldsboro areas. He was a board member of the Taylor County Farm Bureau.

Bud’s favorite name was “Papa” as he was called by his three granddaughters.  He loved watching the girls play basketball and softball, run cross country, and track.  He also enjoyed swimming and spending time with his family at the cabin that he built.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Marla Jo Shelton (2020), and four siblings.

He is survived by his wife Jo Ella, of 55 years of Tuscola, his daughter, Marian Graham and husband Mark of Tuscola, and three granddaughters M’Lee Graham, McCall Graham, and Malone Graham all of Tuscola.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Jim Ned Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 424 Tuscola, TX 79562.