Thomas J. Shelton

Thomas James Shelton ended his earthly life on December 29, 2013 to be with the Lord after a brief illness. A celebration of Tom's life will be held at the Denton Wood Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, January 4, 2014, 2:00 PM, with Pastor Randy Land of First Baptist Church and Pastor David Wilson Rogers of First Christian Church officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Tom was born in Tucson, Arizona on May 19, 1947 and graduated from Tucson High School in 1965 to begin an adventure of work in business, newspaper advertising, sales, retail and foodservice management, and medical billing. He attended NMSU in Las Cruces and worked in Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, as well as Alamogordo, Hobbs, Roswell, and Carlsbad in New Mexico. Throughout his professional career, Tom was an Advertising Account Executive, Sales for Decor Furniture, District Manager for both the Burger King and Wendy's francizes, owner of the Carlsbad Tastee Freez, General Manger for Family Dollar and Big Lots, Medical Insurance Biller for Golden Services Home Health and Hospice, and Partner in TenderCare Christian Day Care. His lifetime passion was always cars. From competitive stock car racing in Tucson to an active membership in the local CAR'S club, Tom was always tinkering with engines and beautiful cars. His pride was his purple hot rod, a fully restored, 1930 Ford Model A Pickup Truck. He enjoyed long cruising trips with his wife in her black Mustang and exploring the blessings of the road. Additionally, he loved the mountains, watching a whole variety of sports, and spending time with his adoring family and friends. Tom met his soul mate and the true love of his life in 1993, and married Judy (Smith Rogge) Shelton on January 22, 1994. Together they radiated the qualities and blessings of a loving marriage and fully invested themselves in making their home a place of family love and welcome as countless friends and loved ones would find joy and recreation at their home. To many they were simply known as Papa Tom and Nana. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, James Elmer Shelton and Shirley Maxine (Skog) Shelton, as well as a sister, Kathy Lilya. Papa Tom is survived by many who love him dearly, including his wife of the family home. Tom has a loving son, David Shelton of Midland Texas and daughter, Kimberly Rogge-Rogers and her husband David of Carlsbad. Additional survivors include his brother, John D. Shelton of Santa Monica California and his sister, Vicky Snell of Tucson Arizona. His Grandchildren are Tiffiney Fitzgerald, Jonathan McIlwee and wife, Veronica, Joshua Smith, Shane Fitzgerald, as well as Celeste, Jacob, and Rachel Rogers, and great-grandchildren: Kallie Ann Fitzgerald and Aspen McIlwee, all of Carlsbad. Honorary Pallbearers are Roger Greathouse, Dan Thompson, James Hedin, Bob Springer, Steve Aragon, and Raul Quintana. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial contributions be made to American Diabetes Association , 2625 Pennsylvania NE, No. 225, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or Golden Services, 800 West Pierce Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.