Ronald Bell Shelton Sr.

A Celebration of Life

Ronald Bell Shelton, Sr.

Sunrise: January 16, 1934

Sunset: February 7, 2026

Fort Lincoln Cemetery & Funeral Home

3401 Bladensburg Road

Brentwood, MD 20744

Reflection of Life

Ronald Bell Shelton, Sr. affectionately known as “Ron, Ronnie, “Daddy,” “Pop Pop,” and “Grand Dad” was born to Clarence E. Shelton, Sr., and Ernestine Bell Shelton on January 16, 1934, in Pensacola, Florida. He died on February 7, 2026, in Olney, MD.

Ron graduated from Kimball High School in Kimball, West Virginia in 1951. While in high school he was an all-around student, excelling in both academics and athletics, earning All-State honors in football. Upon graduation, he then matriculated at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he received a B.A. in government in 1955. In college, he continued his athletic and academic achievements including being voted President of the Junior class, was also a member of the varsity football team, participated in intramural basketball and track, and was Vice President of the Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Ron’s further education included:

• Graduate study for Social Work (Catholic University)

• Continuing Education (University of Richmond)

• Public Administration (George Washington University and New York University)

• Foreign Service Institute (US State Department/African Studies)

• Federal Executive Seminars (University of California – Berkley)

Ron was the recipient of many awards including recognition by the Pensacola News Journal for being an Outstanding Mentor for the “Stride Program” (Students Taking Responsibility in the Development of Excellence). Other achievements received included: Leadership Appreciation, US Dept. of the Interior; Volunteer Appreciation Award - Escambia County School District; Outstanding Volunteer - Escambia County School District Youth Motivator Program; Letter of Appreciation Escambia Campfire Board of Directors; Special Recognition Award-Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for Outstanding Mentoring, and Distinguished Services Award for services to the fraternity for over 50 years.

Ron’s career was spent working for the Federal Government in various roles including Social Worker, Placement Specialist, Personnel Management Specialist, Administrative Officer (USAID Team/ Monrovia, Liberia - West Africa), and finally, as Chief Bureau Equal Opportunity Officer - where he retired in 1990 with 35 years of Government Service. In retirement he worked as a tutor in the Escambia County School District.

His volunteer experience involved serving as an educational mentor for disadvantaged youth, as well as a church official at the various United Methodist churches where he held membership over the years.

Ron’s life motto was: “Life is a series of adjustments - keep it simple.” He was an avid sports fan, especially for the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) and lifelong jazz enthusiast. His interests and hobbies included: playing golf, attending sports events and musical concerts, reading, assembling photo books and picture frames, collecting jazz recordings and other musical compositions, and traveling.

He had active membership and affiliations with many organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Epsilon Mu Lambda chapter), NAACP, Air Force Association, CAF Red Tail Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen Enthusiast), Stride (Howard University Alumni Association), The Jazz Society of Pensacola, Florida, Pensacola Redskin Fan Club, and Revelations Christian Ministry Church (Pensacola, Fl).

Ron is survived by his former wife, Madeline Bushnell Shelton; Children: Terry A. Shelton, Ronald (Ronnie) B. Shelton, Jr., and Wanda Crystal Shelton-Calá (Ramon Calá); Brother, Dr. Clarence E. Shelton, Jr. (Kathleen Shelton); Grandchildren: Tenishi Shelton, Chelsey Shelton, Anthony Shelton, Jr., Amanda Shelton-Mabry (Mattheu Mabry), Nicolas Calá, Benito Calá, Bianca Calá; Great Grandchildren: Nomi Mabry, Elohim Mabry, and Solana West; Cousins: Walter A. Bell, Woodrow Bell, Ronald Bell, Milton Bell and a host of devoted relatives and friends. Ron was pre-deceased by his son Anthony R. Shelton, Sr.

He leaves to all his loved ones:

“Afterglow”

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,

Of happy memories that I leave behind when the day is done.