James Shelton

James Douglas Shelton, 79, of Jackson passed away peacefully Sunday, July 13, 2014, at his home.

He was born Oct. 2, 1934, in Washington, Missouri. He was the son of George E. and Verna Hawkins Shelton Jr. He married Mary Jo Feverston on Oct. 2, 1955, in Cape Girardeau.

Jim was a 1955 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He attended Marshall State College in Huntington, West Virginia, and Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees and Reserves. He was a lifetime member of the Red Bud Masonic Lodge 427 and a 32nd Degree Mason, Valley of Southern Illinois, Ainad Shriners and Scottish rite.

He was employed by the Missouri State Highway Department, R.B. Potashnick Construction Co. and Robinson Construction until he retired.

Jim was a man who enjoyed his family, a good joke and playing cards. He was an accomplished woodworker and loved projects of all kinds and helping his neighbors and friends who needed his expertise in handy work.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Shelton of Jackson; two daughters, Julie Ratz (William) of Red Bud, Illinois, and Jodie Herman (Adam) of Nags Head, North Carolina; his sister, Patricia Beran (Kent) of Chesterfield, Missouri; two grandchildren, James Ratz (Jamie Schaefer) and Jonathan Ratz (Loren Chitwood), both of Red Bud; a number of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his devoted caregiver, Barbara Tripp.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating.

Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.