Terrill Shelton

Terrill (Terry) Shelton was a man known for his love of travel, languages, exercise, and for his compassionate heart. Terry was born on November 18, 1938 to Roscoe and Mary Shelton in Rigby, Idaho and passed away on November 7, 2024 in Silver Spring, Maryland. He grew up with his family of nine children in a modest home on a farm where he learned the value of work and to spend his money wisely. Terry yearned to learn and explore. After high school graduation, he spent two years at Idaho State University and then moved to Seattle to work to earn money for his mission. His love of travel and language started when he went to Helsinki, Finland to serve as a missionary for the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two and half years. After his mission, he continued his education at Brigham Young University where he studied to be a Spanish teacher. During this time, he met his wife, Ilene Mathews, and they were married September 10, 1963. After graduation, they moved to Arco, Idaho to work as teachers. His love for travel pushed him to a career change, but through a variety of events he ended up working for 30 years at Safeway. However, he continued to study and dream of traveling. He pursued a master's degree at University of Maryland in geography and planned for the day he could travel. He also studied to become a volunteer EMT and volunteered at the local fire station. In addition, he learned to do lots of home improvements. Upon his retirement, he began his travel of the world taking with him any family member he could get to go with him. He loved Thailand and returned there often, but also hit all the continents except Antarctica. He continued to study Spanish, French, Finnish, Russian and anything else he could find to study including math, chemistry and history. His compassionate heart led him to lots of volunteer work at the American Red Cross, Meals for Wheels and at the hospital as well as numerous hours and dollars spent helping those he crossed paths with. He was active in his church serving as clerk, service missionary, counselor in the bishopric, high counselor and most recently as a temple worker. Terry also spent many hours running, hiking and exercising. He had his equipment at home, his trails and recently the gym. He loved watching videos of his trips and about other countries as well as his favorite tv shows. He was most content sitting at his desk studying after a long work out with a quick nod for a nap.

Terry is survived by his wife, Ilene Mathews Shelton, and sons, Ryan (Jodi) Shelton, Cary (Julianne) Shelton, Wayne (Raechel) Shelton and daughters, Lory (Jeff) Baird and Sharla Shelton. He has seventeen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Burt, and Don, and sister, Sandra. He has four surviving brothers, Boyd, Jim, K-Lynn and Rick, and one sister, Meladee.