Gerald Franklin Shelton

Gerald Franklin “Bud” Shelton, longtime resident of Henry County, passed away on Saturday November 9 at the age of 90. Mr. Shelton is widely known for his many years serving the Blue River Valley school community, first in the role of high school principal beginning in the fall of 1965 and then serving a long tenure as superintendent of schools (1973 – 2003). Working for and with students, staff, and parents provided Bud’s greatest personal reward even as their successes in school and life stand as testament to his devotion to serving the community.

Gerald was born on March 20, 1934 in rural Jefferson County Indiana, the son of Elzie Thomas, a farmer, and Florence Blake Shelton, an elementary school teacher. His early childhood was spent roaming the fields of his grandparent’s farm north of Madison, a place he called Chicken Run, and making boyhood mischief with his favorite cousin Roy Shelton who lived across the creek. “Buddy” started elementary school in the fall of 1940 in the one-room Volga schoolhouse containing 8 grades. The following year ET and Florence purchased their own farm and moved to Deputy where Bud and sisters Lois and Betty attended a two-room schoolhouse. At Deputy High School Bud was strong in the classroom and at 6’4” a formidable center on the basketball team. He loved the game and was proud to be Jefferson County’s leading scorer in both his junior and senior years. In 1950 he met the love of his life Barbara Jean Johnson who had recently moved with her parents from Tennessee to a nearby farm. After graduating as salutatorian of his class of 15, Bud was off to Purdue in the fall of 1952 where he worked in the university dairy for spending money and earned a B.S. in Agriculture Education in 1956.

That fall Bud’s first professional position brought him to Sulphur Springs High School to teach science and agriculture. He was eager to share his love of farming with students he taught and coached in 4-H and FFA. His students were quite successful in county and state contests and several he mentored remained his close friends throughout life. Bud and Barbara married on February 2, 1957. Daughters Lisa Jean and then Kathy Lynn were born in 1958 and 1959. Bud earned a Purdue M.S. in Education Administration in 1962 and the young family moved to Modoc Indiana and Union High School in Randolph County where Bud taught science and agriculture and became assistant principal. In those years he completed additional graduate studies to obtain superintendent of schools licensure.

Bud, Barbara, Lisa, Kathy and infant son Marshall Thomas returned to Henry County after Bud became principal of Blue River Valley High School in 1965; in 1973 he became superintendent of schools, serving until his retirement in 2003. Mr. Shelton was always impressed with and grateful for the many fine educators and community leaders that gave their all for students. During his tenure a new BRV junior/senior high school campus opened in 1969 and new elementary campus in 1978. Shelton was active in regional and state organizations focused on educational improvement and attainment for all. He supported his community as a founding member of the BRV Optimist Club, was active in the Mt. Summit Christian Church, served on the Henry County Memorial Hospital Foundation board and later was elected to the Henry Co. REMC board. In appreciation and recognition of his 37 years of devotion to BRV teachers, staff, and students (and lifelong passion for basketball!) BRV named their main gym “Gerald Shelton Gymnasium” in 2003. 

Outside of school Shelton loved fishing, especially during yearly trips to Sioux Narrows, Canada with family and many dear friends, and enjoyed hunting, watching Purdue sports, golf, and gardening, but most of all he loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bud, Barbara, and the children eagerly made regular trips to the southern Indiana farms of his parents and in-laws where they would check the crops and livestock and share wonderful times with extended family. Bud was preceded in death by Barbara his loving wife of 61 years, parents ET and Florence, in-laws Marshall and Thelma Johnson, sisters Lois Meyer of Indianapolis and Betty Cain of Columbus, brothers in law Wilbur Meyer and John Burton, sister-in-law Sandra Shelton of Deputy and beloved grandson Michael Green. Left to honor and cherish Bud’s memory are sisters Sarah Sue Burton of Versailles and Lorena Sipe (Darrell) of Concord NC, and brother Michael of Deputy. Also, daughters Lisa Green (Ron) of Fishers, Kathy McGriff of Franklin and son Marshall Thomas (Lonna) of Mt. Summit, granddaughters Susan Dunn (Jeremy) of Indianapolis, Jessica Slabaugh (Timothy) of Wesley Chapel FL, Stacie Shelton of Denver, CO, and Brooke Shelton of Bloomington, grandsons Daniel McGriff of Franklin and Austin Shelton (Audrey) of Greenfield, and great-grandsons Jacob Dunn, Samuel Slabaugh, and Kaiden Shelton. Also, nieces Ruth Ann Evans of Lafayette CA, Cindy Meyer of Lapel, Melinda Swinney and Kim Evans of Versailles, Michelle Morrison and Julie Thompson of Madison, Jenny Burgess and Amy Sherman of Concord NC, nephews Brian Clark of Columbus and Mark Shelton of Frankfort KY and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial services for Bud will be provided by Hinsey-Brown Funeral Services in New Castle. Calling will be on Friday Nov. 15th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday the 16th at 10:00 a.m. before funeral services begin at 11:00. Memorial contributions may be given to BRV Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 233, Mt. Summit IN 47361 and to Mt. Summit Christian Church, 508 S. Walnut St., Mt. Summit IN 47361. You may express condolences or share a memory of Bud at www.hinsey-brown.com.