Raymond Lee Shelton

Raymond Lee Shelton was born December 25, 1928 and slipped into the arms of his Savior, with little warning, surrounded by the caring staff at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO on December 15, 2021. His passing was due to natural causes.

During the Korean War Ray served as a chaplain assistant. It was during this time that he responded to God’s call to preach and in 1953; he was ordained to the ministry by Rosemont Baptist Church in East St. Louis, IL.

Following his military service, he enrolled in William Jewell College, graduating in 1957. He then attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Masters of Divinity Degree in 1962. In 1967, he earned a Masters Degree in Religious Education. During his years at William Jewell College and Midwestern Seminary he served as pastor of several small churches in Missouri. He found it meaningful to pastor individuals in challenging times.

1n 1962, he was appointed by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board as a missionary to Thailand, where he served until 1977. His fondest memories from Thailand included sharing God’s love in Christ with all people and leading them to accept Christ as their Savior. He was trained by a missionary doctor to clean and treat extremities of leper patients who lived in villages that were not close to health care facilities. One special patient was Prapassee, a young girl that Ray treated for a year before she was able to have surgery. He served in early radio and television, helping to produce films, and leading a large choir in Bangkok.

Upon his return from Thailand, he served with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board as a church planter in Fairfield, CT. Later he served at Covenant Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO before moving to Phoenix, AZ where he served as Development Director for the Arizona Baptist Children’s Services. Upon his retirement from the Children’s Services, he served for several years as associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Sun City, AZ

Ray was an accomplished pianist and could play the piano by ear as well as by note. He also played the accordion. One of his favorite roles in Thailand was directing a bell choir composed of young people who were invited to perform for Bob Hope. He enjoyed performing as a magician and a ventriloquist where his favorite helper was Timothy Wood. One of Ray’s special gifts was that of a listener.

Ray had been a resident at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO for nearly five years. He enjoyed his friends at the Home where he played the piano for their worship services and for special holidays. He often counseled and prayed with fellow residents during COVID times. As well as being a good listener, Ray was an encourager. He especially enjoyed family times, the weekly video chats, and phone calls. Ray was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Ray is survived by his wife, Alpha; children: Dr. Becky Shelton (Mary Ellen Lutz), Dr. Penny Shelton (Robert Stewart), Jana Duckworth, and James Shelton; stepchildren: James “Russ” Freeman (Trudi), Nancy Pettet (Tim), Jeffrey Freeman (Patsy); several grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo Everett Shelton and Louise Sophie Seaton Shelton; brothers Robert Shelton and William Shelton; sisters Cora Gunnels and Marian Wilson; and granddaughter Jasmine Jean Shelton.

Visitation will be at Connection Point Church, 10500 E. Route 350 Hwy. Raytown, MO. 64138, on January 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM followed by Funeral Services at 11:00 AM. Military Honors, Committal Prayers and Entombment will immediately follow at Freedom Mausoleum, Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Raytown, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to Hope Network, 10500 East State Hwy 350, Raytown, Mo. 64138.