Michael "Mike" Wayne Shelly

Michael Wayne “Mike” Shelly, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He was born on August 17, 1950 in Fort Smith. He graduated from Alma High School in 1969, and was the first recipient of the John Phillips Sousa Award for playing the trombone in the high school band.

In December of 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served as a mechanic during the Vietnam War. He once described his job in the military as, “we fix what other units can’t.” He repaired everything from jeeps, to helicopters, to tanks. While serving in the military he was stationed in Naha, Okinawa; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Heilbronn, Germany; Fort Lee, Virginia; Yokohama, Japan; Aberdeen, Maryland; and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Michael was awarded several decorations and medals while serving in the Army; among them are the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Vietnam Service Medal (4 Bronze Stars), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with PALM, and 2 Overseas Service Bars. He was Honorably Discharged in 1990 as Sergeant First Class after 21 years of faithful service.

After serving in the US Army, Michael worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years. He worked at the Midland office until his retirement in 2016.

His interests included riding his motorcycle, fixing nearly anything with an engine, dabbling in electronics, researching family history, and playing with his beautiful granddaughter, Vivienne and new puppy, Coco.

Michael will be missed by all who knew him for his intelligence, pragmatic outlook on life, sense of humor and kindness. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth L. Shelly.

He is survived by his wife, Hiromi of the home; a daughter, Linda Seymour-Davies and husband Basil of Fayetteville; a son, William Shelly and wife Christie of Bixby, OK; his mother Alvena (Jimmie) Shelly of Van Buren; two sisters, Sheila R. Randolph and Melissa Shelly both of Van Buren; a brother, Kenneth Charles Shelly of Van Buren; and a grandchild, Vivienne Seymour-Davies.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR. The Reverend Billy Joe Gentry will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Shelly, Tim Randolph, Eric Randolph, Eston Randolph, Allen Randolph, and Basil Seymour-Davies.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.