James Lenzie Sheldon

James Lenzie Sheldon, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away as heroically as he lived on November 22, 2024, blessed by his Lord with 95 years on earth. James was a longtime member of Friendship Baptist Church, and his family rejoices in knowing that he is alive forever with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Born on December 29, 1928, in Lonoke, Arkansas, to Leroy Edward Sheldon and Mae Elizabeth Chambers Sheldon, James’ earliest memories were of a three-year-old in the oil booming Kilgore’s Happy Hollow (or Hollar to many) which is now the city park. He said his family was better off than most because they had many canned items from their previous farm work which could be bartered for other necessities. They later moved to the Danville area where he attended Danville school and according to his later love letters met and fell in love with Mary Audentha Birdsong who he decided would be his bride one day. James often caddied at the local golf course and developed a life-long love for the game. At fourteen, his family moved to Florida to work on an 18,000-acre cattle ranch in Florida. His father became the school bus driver so his children could attend the school 17 miles away. James was designated the one to stay behind, ride the range, lassoing and treating diseased or mineral deficient cattle. Only able to complete the seventh grade, James regretted his inability to have a higher level of education. However, he was an avid reader and his self-education enabled him to pass the GED at age 24 without studying. The family returned to Kilgore when he was sixteen. Always a hard worker, he did oil company work, caddied and was offered a job at the Kilgore Golf Course but decided the army offered a better opportunity.

He enlisted in the U. S. Army at 17 years old and served in the occupation of Germany as a military policeman, the occupation of Korea as a cook because he felt he could move up in rank faster and eventually the Korean War. His future mother-in-law wrote telling him that Mary was free so he returned to Kilgore to date her and soon he had his first bonus family. The army stationed him again in Germany and his growing family soon joined him. Kilgore was always his family’s home base as the military took them to Louisiana, Washington State twice, Alaska, Virginia and finally to Berlin during the Vietnam War from which he retired after 22 years of service. During his years in the military, his leadership skills were quickly noticed and he earned numerous awards and letters of commendation achieving Master Sargeant E-8 by the time of retirement. James felt the Army taught him discipline and team work. The family returned to Kilgore where eventually he and his brother opened S&S Metal Products which is currently owned by his grandson, Mark Morse. After retiring again, James was able to enjoy his pastimes of golfing at Shallow Creek Country Club, playing and fishing with grand-children and tending to his garden.

After 40 years of marriage, his beloved wife died after a courageous fight with cancer. A golf course acquaintance offered comfort and their friendship developed into a 25-year marriage which gave James another bonus family that he loved.

He is survived by his children: Dannie (Debra) Fason of Kempner, Lannis “Ed” (Karen) Fason of Aurora, CO, Linda (Jerry) Halbrook of Conroe, Mary Morse of Kilgore and James “Jim” (Melissa) Sheldon of Bryan as well as bonus daughter Laura (Phillip) Hudman of Tatum; his siblings: Ellen Jackson of Port Orchard, WA, and Hugh Sheldon of Longview, WA; his treasured grandchildren: Julia, Kevin, Jeremy, Chad, April, Mark, Lenzie and Bishop as well as bonus grandchildren Christine, Ruth, Zach, Mary Ashley; and countless great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Family members who preceded him in death are his parents, wives Mary and Madeline, brothers Obe, Gene, Richard, Carl, Robert and John, bonus daughter Lynn Phillips, son-in-law William “Billy” Morse, brother-in-law Steve Jackson, grandsons Chris Fason and Brendan Wilson, and great-grandson Zacry Fason.

Family and friends are invited to honor James’ remarkable life during visitation on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a funeral service on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 10:00 am. Both events will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, TX, with a military burial at Danville Cemetery thereafter. In lieu of flowers donations to Friendship Baptist Church would honor James’ memory.

With immense gratitude James’ family thanks Arbor Grace Kilgore and Kindful Health for their compassionate care as well as Brother David Hamptom for his faithful ministry to our father. Our family also wishes to express eternal gratitude to the Bill Morse family, especially their selfless sister Mary, for their sacrificial service to our father in his later years. Their efforts to meet his needs exceeded the usual. We know he was pampered and he often expressed how grateful he was for them.

James Lenzie Sheldon will be remembered not only for his accomplishments and dedication but also for the love he shared with those around him. His spirit, kindness and unwavering loyalty to his family and country will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.