Randy (Randolph) Lee Shetley

On July 1, 2017, a gentle giant, Randy (Randolph) Shetley died quietly in his home at the age of 60. Often mistaken for Santa Claus by the younger crowd, Randy was more like Santa in heart than even his appearance let on. He gave selflessly and loved deeply. Randy was born in Aurora, Missouri on March 25, 1957 to Gilbert and Wylda (Spreacker) Shetley. He grew up in Lebanon, Missouri where he graduated from Lebanon High School in 1975. Randy began a degree in Music Education at Southwest Missouri State University and received his B.A. from Denver's Regis University in 2003. Randy earned an Association Montessori Internationale degree in the Casa dei Bambini (3 to 6 year old education) in May 1985. He earned an American Montessori Society degree in Elementary I & II education in 1995 and 1999, respectively. In 2005, he earned his Colorado State Professional Teacher's License from Colorado Christian University. Along with mentoring many newer teachers, Randy has served as a training instructor at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, CO and Mid-America Teachers Training Institute in Omaha, NE. Randy married his soul mate, Marian Slama on May 12, 1979. Together they have two sons, Forrest and Cody. They lived in Ph nix until 1985, when they moved to Colorado and fulfilled their dream of mountain living. Randy and Marian owned and operated Mountain Child Montessori School in Nederland, CO from 1991 to 1998. Randy adored his children and grandchildren, as well as the children he taught for 37 years. He loved hunting with his son, Cody. He enjoyed teaching his children and granddaughters how to fish. He loved music and singing children's songs to his grandchildren. Every year he contributed to the auction at Montessori Peaks Academy by taking the winning family fishing for a day. The children in his class prided themselves on being the school Geeks, influenced by Randy's humor and love of science. Randy is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Peyton Knowlton. He is survived by his wife, Marian, sons and daughters-in-law, Forrest and Alisha Miller, and Cody and Mindy Shetley; his grandchildren, Skylar Shetley and Jackson Miller; his sister and brother-in-law, Doli and J Jones; his nieces Cameron Dale and Mackenzie Jones; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank and Patricia Slama, Joanie Langevin, Dan Hogan, Theresa Reuther, Mike and Marilyn Schr der, and Ted and Carol Slama; 13 Slama nieces and nephews; 35 great nieces and nephews; and his cousins Barbara Long, Mary Lee Long, and Patty Hixson. A Celebration of Randy's life will be held as an open house at his home, 121 Bear Dr. in Golden, CO on July 7, 2017 from twelve to five p.m., with Memory Sharing at 1:30. You are encouraged to wear sneakers or hiking boots, hunting, fishing, or Bronco attire, or a funny tee shirt. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Montessori Peaks Academy in Littleton, CO. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.