After a long, heroic battle with cancer, Neil J. Shelton, 59, died in his home, with his wife, Connie, by his side, on November 15th, 2015. He dearly loved the family he leaves behind: his wife, Connie; son Kenny & Kathi Shelton and granddaughters, Kayla & Dalia of St. Louis, MO; stepson Kris & Susan Wood and grandson Christopher of Topeka, KS; 4 sisters/spouses: Dixie & Alex Link of Topeka KS, Cee & Greg Heller of Ellsworth KS, Carol & John Brandl of Lincoln NE, and Carmen & Allen Wilds of Collyer KS.
Neil was born on July 12, 1956 in Dodge City, KS. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Deyoe Shelton; father, Cecil Shelton; brother, Leroy Shelton; and his grandparents.
Neil grew up on a farm near Jetmore, KS and moved to Dodge City, where he briefly had his own appliance business, worked in building construction, and later for Interstate Battery. He married Connie (Rand) Wood on July 15, 1983. Neil retired from Cargill in July 2013, after 26 years of dedication. He and Connie moved to their country home near Bates City, MO on November 20, 2014, to be closer to their kids and grandkids. Neil spent countless hours making the house their own, and loved spending free time with their “flock”. He was passionate about the exotic birds that “owned” them and was happy to spend time inventing bird perches, toys, & setting up their play area.
The family will honor Neil and celebrate his life on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at his & Connie’s home.
There will be also be a casual Celebration of Neil’s life in Dodge City on Saturday, November 28th at Casey’s Cowtown Club, 503 E. Trail Street, between 4:00 and 7:00 pm. All are welcome to come & go, or come & stay, to share memories and celebrate Neil.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oasis Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue and life time sanctuary care of parrots living in captivity. Their website is https://the-oasis.org/. Donations can be made via the website link – please specify the donation is in memory of Neil Shelton, recipient email cshelton58@yahoo.com; by phone 480-946-4955 – contact Ruth Ann LaRue; or by mail at Oasis Sanctuary, PO Box 2166, Scottsdale, AZ 85252.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441