Shelton Lewis Bailey

Shelton Lewis Bailey was born on June 5, 1954 in Stratford, Connecticut the only child to William and Edythe Bailey. He was called to rest on August 31, 2019. Shel attended Saint Joseph High School in Trumball, Connecticut and loved playing football and basketball. After High School he served his country in the US Marines having the opportunity to travel the world which is where he got his flair for cooking, boxing, photography and martial arts. He traveled the country living on the East Coast for the first 40 years of his life and then headed out West moving to Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. In Phoenix, he started as a sales rep in the haircare industry, then worked at various hair salons around town until he eventually acquired his own salon. This is where he met Brenda who was looking for a tennis partner and instead she found her life partner and soul mate. After selling his salon, he decided to reinvent himself and returned to school and obtained his Associates Degree in Theatre from Scottsdale Community College and further theatrical studies at Arizona State University while pursuing an acting career. He was an actor and performed in numerous plays with The Phoenix Theatre Company and The Black Theatre Troupe and enjoyed performing Shakespeare. Shelton was also in several commercials and movies and was nominated for a Zonie - a theatrical award of excellence. When Shelton & Brenda moved to Las Vegas he reinvented himself again and was hired by the MGM Grand Garden Arena as a stage hand and then trained to become a rigger. He then joined IATSE Local 720 – The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees - and worked various positions and eventually became a steward. He was an active member of IATSE for 15 years and worked on various projects and causes including the political committee. For his work on one campaign he would receive Christmas cards from the White House! Shelton regularly attended The Lohan school of Shaolin/Spiritual & Cultural Center in Las Vegas where he taught Tai Chi and participated in various events. Shelton was a man who wore many hats – LITERALLY he wore a hat, scarves, rings and watches with every outfit! He was known as a great, fun-loving husband, bigger-than-life friend, cousin, uncle and son and he will be missed. Shelton leaves a loving family and host of friends to cherish his memory: his wife Brenda Ellison, nephew Michael W. Bailey, Sr. and his wife Rosanna and their 6 children and 14 grandchildren; cousins: Howard Johnson, Juliet Kelly, Adrien Johnson, Kathy Rutherford, Jewel Johnson, Fran Tizzard, Deresa Helms, William Kelly, Roy Kelly and Shawn Johnson and a host of many more relatives and very close friends. Although Shelton didn’t have children of his own, he had great love for Jordan, Marion and Tra as if they were his own. The Celebration of Life Services are being held on Saturday September 7, 2019 doors open at 1:00 P.M. and the service starts at 2:00 P.M. at The Palms Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89146 and immediately following the service there will be a gathering of family and friends for a reception from 2:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.