Charles William Shell

Charles William “Charlie” Shell, Sr., of Lutz, Florida, passed away in Hospice care on May 1, 2023, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, his two sons, Charles Jr. and Gregory “Greg”, and his granddaughter Summer.

After serving for two years in the U.S. Army and being stationed along the DMZ in South Korea, he came home to Lutz and purchased a local Feed Store in North Tampa September 1961. Mr. Shell was the owner of the previous Tampa-based family businesses Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply, which his son Greg took over in 2008, and Jim Dandy Feed & Supply, formerly located in Ybor City. Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply was a Tampa institution for local farmers, gardeners, and pet owners for over 60 years until it closed in 2022.

He married his wife, Betty J. Shell (née Tamargo), in 1965. She is also a Lutz resident, and from a prominent family of dairy farmers formerly of the Carrollwood area. Along with the feed store family business, Mr. Shell raised cattle, and had an undying love of 30s-60s Ford cars and trucks, which he dedicated much of his life to collecting, restoring, and selling. He also loved auto racing and spent much of his time at the local race tracks with friends and family.

A graveside ceremony will be held on May 8, 2023, 11 A.M, at the Centro Asturiano Cemetery

located at 5400 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL 33610. Mr. Shell will receive military

honors for his military service at the ceremony. There will be a gathering for family and friends

immediately following the graveside service at the family homestead in Lutz. All are welcome at

either or both gatherings.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Charlie’s name to St. Jude’s Children's Research

Hospital (https://stjude.org) or Shriners Hospital (https://lovetotherescue.org/).