Dwight E. Shambley

Educator, 70, passed from this earthly life, on Monday, January 27, 2020, surrounded by his

loving Family, at his home in Dallas, Texas.

Dwight was born on December 18, 1949, in Lima, Ohio, to Myrtle (Johnson) and Marion

Shambley. Dwight went on and was inducted into his High School athletic Hall of Fame, for

Discus, Track and Field, and was recruited by Cornell University to play football.

Dwight attended the College-Conservatory of Music, CCM, on Full Scholarship and studied

with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Bass, at the time, Barry Green. In 1972,

Dwight was Barry Green’s first Bass Student to win two major symphony orchestra auditions in

the same year; Principal bass with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, or, tutti bass with the

Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He decided to play with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

On 8/12/1979, Dwight Shambley and Sho-mei Pelletier were joined in Holy Matrimony in Santa

Fe, New Mexico, during their summer, playing with the Santa Fe Opera.

Dwight was a 48 year member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Double-bass Section and a

Founder of the Dallas Symphony’s Award-winning Young Strings Scholarship program (YSD), a

non-profit organization whose mission is to identify and promote minority students who show

promise, talent, and dedication in the field of Classical Music. The primary aim of YSD is to

change the face of the professional symphony by producing more talented and prepared

musicians entering universities, conservatories, and music schools at the collegiate level and

beyond. Mr Shambley’s passion was advancing the cause of the traditionally underprivileged

and firmly believed that all youth entering YSD were destined for successful lifelong careers.

“Even if our students decide not to pursue a career in classical music, the dedication and

discipline instilled into them as YSD Scholars, will prepare them for the rigors and challenges

that they will face in their professional lives, be that business, non-profit, medicine, law, or any

other field.”

Dwight was also featured in numerous local musical organizations including SMU’s Voices of

Change Ensemble, the Fine Arts Chamber Players, the New Arensky Piano Trio and Friends

Chamber Music series, the Music A-Z Duo (FACP), the Texas Tech Chamber Music series, the

Music in the Mountains Music Festival in Durango, Colorado, the Santa Fe Opera Chamber

series, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. He was also a highly respected Educator on

the Faculties of Texas Tech, the University of Tulsa, the University of Arkansas, and SMU.

Dwight’s hobbies included cooking, brewing, going to the gym, and hiking.

Dwight leaves to cherish his precious memory: Beloved wife, Sho-mei Pelletier of Dallas TX.,

Son, Aaron Shambley of Boston MA., Daughter, Alexis Shambley of Cincinnati, OH., Brother,

DeWayne (Cynthia) Shambley of Bowie MD, 3 Nephews; Todd Grant (Laura) of Columbus, OH.,

DeWayne Shambley Jr. (Kamillah) of Columbus, OH., Quentin (Queendoline) Shambley of

Phoenix, AZ., and a host of grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, cousins, other relatives and

close friends.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Gloria Shambley (Grant).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dallas Symphony Young Strings, Dwight

Shambley Scholarship Fund. Please make sure you write, Dwight Shambley Scholarship

Fund, specifically on your Donation. OR, you may kindly donate to the ZERO-The end of

prostate cancer, charity (zerocancer.org).

Visitation will be Sunday, February 2, 2020, from 6pm-8pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12pm on Monday, February 3, 2020, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.

The Family of Dwight Shambley invites all gathered to a reception, following the Service, at

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant, 7843 Park Lane, Dallas, TX.