Kenneth Shelton

Kenneth Austin Shelton (Kenny) was born on November 7, 1934, to Hynson Austin and Madeliene Shelton in a farmhouse near Ropesville, TX. The young family moved to Hobbs in January 1936.

Kenny began his education in 1939 in what was known as North Hobbs Elementary. He graduated Hobbs High School in 1952. He was a three-sport varsity letterman his junior and senior years. He received an academic scholarship to New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell along with four of his high school teammates. While in Roswell he met his first wife, Jean Blake. They went to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where Kenny walked on and received a football scholarship his junior year. Kenny and Jean married on June 12, 1955. Kenny received a BA degree in education in 1956. He spent his last semester student teaching in Hobbs and began teaching and coaching at Heizer Junior High in the fall of 1956. His first ever coach in eighth grade, Mr. Ray Haynes, was his principal.

In 1958, Kenny began working at Watson Truck & Supply, Inc., eventually becoming President of the company. After the death of his first wife in 1995, Kenny married Jackie Morris on June 1, 1996. Kenny and Jackie had known each other since they were 13 years old. Kenny retired from Watson's in 1998 after 40 years of service. Kenny and Jackie fully enjoyed their 22 years together playing golf, traveling, and spending time with their families.

Kenny was a servant leader in various community, charitable and church roles over his life, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Arthritis Foundation, Palmer Drug Abuse Program, and the Young Marrieds Sunday School program at First Baptist Church.

Kenny enjoyed the best that life has to offer-family, friends, music, dancing, sports (especially golf and football), and of course the Hobbs Eagles. Kenny made friends easily and greatly valued his friendships, many of which were from childhood. He was very intentional about maintaining them. If Kenny was your friend, he was a friend indeed.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Jackie Shelton; his children-a daughter, Cindy Svendsen (and Jeff) of Dallas, Texas; a son, Tommy Shelton of Dallas; a sister, Janece (and Don) Cox of Frisco, Texas; 2 granddaughters; 1 grandson; 3 great-grandchildren and one more due on Kenny's birthday; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins; and Jackie's children-two sons Michael Robinson (and Phyllis) of LaGrange, Texas; and Allen Robinson (and Carol) of Los Lunas, New Mexico; 2 daughters Cindy Colosanti (and Rick) of Vine Grove, Kentucky, who preceded Kenny in death; and Tracy Thompson (and Robert) of Farmington, New Mexico; 5 granddaughters; 4 grandsons; 7 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

Kenny was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Jean, and his parents, Hynson and Madeliene Shelton.

Kenny was full of joy, zeal, optimism, faith, hope, humor, wisdom, discernment, loyalty, and most importantly love. He lived well and loved well and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him and whose lives he impacted and blessed so richly.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenny Shelton Memorial Scholarship Fund at Lea County State Bank of Hobbs.

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Memorial Contributions