James D. "Bear" Shelton

James D. "Bear" Shelton, 63, Tipton, died at his home Monday evening, November 2, 2015. He was born May 21, 1952 in Oxnard, California to Arra Homer and Ollie (Adams) Shelton. He attended schools in Bakersfield, California and Purcell, Oklahoma. Bear was a heavy equipment operator and shaped golf courses in 38 states for noted golf course architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Raymond Hearn, Jerry Pate, Scott Poole and many others. He also did dozer work for the Moody's of Olustee. Bear married Linda Perry on November 11, 1995 in Lexington, Oklahoma. He enjoyed his dozer work, fishing, boating and spending time with his family and grandchildren.
James D. "Bear" Shelton was preceded in death by his parents, his son Gentry Shelton and a sister, Bobbie Lou Drone.
He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter, Amy Shelton; two sons, James Darrell Shelton, II and Harley Shelton; three step sons, Jerry Thurston and wife, Berlinda; Michael Thurston and wife, Jessica; John Thurston and wife, Ashley; three sisters, Nadine Thurston, Doris Keeley and Cherry Stark; two brothers, Kenneth Shelton; Gordon Shelton and wife, Melissa; grandchildren Candace, Hazel, Rayven, Destanie, Kathlin, Matt, Andy, Hailey, Natalie, Brody, Kylie, Cash, Aubrey and Bella; aunts, uncles, cousins and many other friends and relatives.
The Shelton family will honor Bear with a private family burial of cremated remains at a later date.