Randy was born in Bruce, MS on January 30, 1945. He graduated from Bruce High School and Northwest Mississippi Junior College with a degree in Music Education. He attended University of Memphis and was a member of the Mighty Sound of the South.
After college, he joined The Short Kuts as their trumpet player. Soon after they began playing, The Short Kuts were signed to Pepper Records. The band toured nationally with various musicians and was featured in Teen Magazine in 1968. Randy was also a studio musician for several record labels in Memphis.
After his music career, Randy transitioned into the business world in purchasing. He worked his way up to Director or Purchasing for several companies including Thompson and Formby, WM Barr, and Plough, Inc.
Randy was a longtime member of the Not Ready for Swine Time Porkers team for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Later in life, he also enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfast group each week.
He was known for his love of jokes and big, boastful laughs. He enjoyed taking friends and family out on his boat, playing golf, watching science fiction television and movies, and reading crime fiction and thriller books.
Happiness for Randy was his family. He loved spending as much time with his family as possible. He traveled extensively, including taking his grandchildren on yearly vacations.
He was preceded in death by his father Clifton Ray Shelton Sr. and his mother Berniece Shelton (Upchurch).
He leaves behind his wife Dorothy “Dot” Shelton; brother Leroy Shelton (Yong); daughter Kim Wilbanks (Troy); three grandchildren Shannon (Scott), Abby, and Conner; and three grand-dogs Huckleberry, Max, and Ellie.
Services will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 3700 N. Germantown Pkwy., Bartlett, TN 38133 on Monday, November 23, 2020. Family will begin receiving guests at 1:00 PM, followed by the memorial service at 2:00 PM.
