Carl D Shelton

Carl was born on January 13, 1929, to the late Joseph Herman Shelton and Ethel Moon Shelton in Carson, Iowa. Instilled with a hard work ethic and encouraged to finish school, Carl graduated from Oxnard High School in Ventura County, California, and began working for a frozen food company. Convinced he did not want to work in the grocery industry for the rest of his life, he decided to bravely serve his country by joining the Air Force in 1948. He started out as a radio mechanic working with the newest technology of his time—which by the early 1950s included the fax machine. Later, he would work in tactical air navigation and control tower communications.

His travels with the Air Force took him to Okinawa for an extended tour as well as a few PCS moves, including Tinker AFB (Oklahoma City), Pope AFB (Fort Bragg, NC), and Shaw AFB (Sumter, SC). It was in North Carolina at a small church revival that Carl found Jesus and surrendered his life to a Christian walk. And it was in Sumter where he met and married a true treasure and woman of God, Garnetta. Carl served a total of 10 years in the Air Force. It was during his year in Alaska that he was convinced he could no longer stay away from his growing family. In 1960, he moved his family to California and worked as a civilian for the Navy at Point Mugu where he worked in missile range operations. He traveled some during his career—to places like Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Wake Island, Guam, Australia, and Fiji—but nothing that separated him from his family for long. He retired after 23 years. The day after he retired, he and his wife moved to South Carolina and made a home where family (and faith) continued to be central.

He is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Rabon (Tom), and two sons, Michael Duane Shelton (Karen) and Jeffrey Herman Shelton (Marie). Carl’s pride and joy extended to his grandchildren Heather Bodiford (Ty), Sumer Campbell (James), Michele Shelton, Jenna Johnson (Josh), Jared Duane Shelton (Nina), Danielle Haughton (Eli), DJ Rabon, and Jeremiah Rabon; as well as nine great-grandchildren: Nicholas Campbell (Hayley), Kylie Campbell, Sydney Campbell, Will Bodiford, Danner Bodiford, Mariah Bodiford, Julia Johnson, Jonas Johnson, and Nadia Haughton.

Carl is preceded in death by the love of his life, Garnetta Litchfield Shelton; three brothers, Donald, Woody, and Franklin; and five sisters, Anna Eleanor Shelton, Wilma Gibbs, Dorothy Lewis, Georgia “Hazel” Howser, and Mabel Demuth. His granddaughter, Carrie Evory, passed on to her Heavenly home as well.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Funerals & Cremation, 7113 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29406. A Service will follow from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel. A burial with Air Force Honors will immediately follow at 2:30 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity close to Carl’s heart: Falcon Children’s Home and Turbeville Children’s Home (www.falconchildrenshome.org) or Bonneau Pentecostal Holiness Church (116 Black Oak Rd., Bonneau, SC 29431).

The service will be live streamed for those who cannot attend. Due to high community COVID-19 transmission, guests are asked to wear a mask or face covering inside the chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the SHELTON family.