Carl Christopher “Chris” Shelton died suddenly and unexpectedly December 5th, 2018 leaving his beloved family and the love of his life. He is survived by his wife Cindy, his two daughters Julianne Kathryn (Billy Hamlin) and Marie Grace, and his son, Christopher Aaron. He is also survived by his parents, Dcn. Carl Shelton and Anne Marie Murphy, his brother Stephen Shelton (Christine Shelton), several brother-in-laws including Kevin Whaley, his sister-in-law Sarah Whaley (Nathan McClean), and his many nieces and nephews: Cierra Shelton, Autumn and Avalon Whaley, and Emma and Samuel McClean. Lastly, he is survived by his grandson, William Robert Hamlin IV. (Chris is beloved by many cousins and aunts and uncles, too numerous to list, but each of whom were very special to Chris.)
Chris was born in Iowa City, Iowa on March 15th, 1960 to a Navy corpsman from small-town Chariton, Iowa and a Navy nurse, from Irish-Italian Burlington, Vermont. Chris grew up in a Catholic home that focused on serving others and attending Sunday Mass. He moved many times in his youth from Iowa to Massachusetts, from New Jersey to Paoli, PA, where he attended Devon Preparatory School, and finally from Lake Forrest, Illinois, where he attended Lake Forest High School, to San Diego, CA in 1976. Chris was on the varsity swim team and graduated from University of San Diego High School (Uni/Cathedral) in 1978.
Chris spent several summers in his youth with family friends in Guatemala, where it became clear he had a gift for language. Chris became fluent in Spanish and French, and he would go on to learn to say “thank you” in over fifteen other languages. Chris also developed a love for flying at an early age, and throughout his life enjoyed watching planes come and go out of airports. He had many experiences flying with his father, a private pilot, which included helming crop dusters and dropping bags of flour to hit targets on the ground for prizes.
Chris earned a BA in Philosophy degree from University of California, Santa Cruz. While in college, Chris’ love of travel grew. He studied in Nimes, France and visited the Soviet Union. He developed a love and respect for cultures and humankind.
Shortly thereafter, Chris was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, attended flight school, and completed his service in the reserves. Chris’ life would take a sudden turn when, at the age of 24 on May 29, 1984, he was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Moraga and Balboa Avenue while riding his bike. It was about 3 in the afternoon. The driver left the scene, pursued by witnesses, and found throwing away his alcohol. The man was arrested.
Chris was left paralyzed with life-threatening injuries including a broken back. He was treated by Dr. Bill Davidson who fused his back together with two titanium rods. Chris was not expected to live, let alone walk or have children. He did all three. He also forgave the man who had done this to him. To all who witnessed the recovery: it was a miracle, but it was not without its challenges. Chris had last rites pronounced twice, the second time when he endured blood clots in his lungs. It took over a year of rehabilitation to recover. When it was time to provide a victim statement to the court, Chris said he forgave the man and “bore no grudge.” Chris always attributed his recovery to being forgiving.
In June 1986, Chris met Cindy Whaley at St. Brigid Church in Pacific Beach. He asked to carry her guitar to her car, and they were inseparable thereafter. Chris and Cindy were married June 20, 1987. It was a celebration of life and true love. They were married for 31 years.
Chris lived a life of service helping others. He was a Licensing Program Manager for Community Care Licensing with the State of California. He worked in public service as a bilingual public servant for over 30 years. In his service, he developed close ties with his coworkers, his supervisor, and his employees– all of whom are dedicated to making the most vulnerable, children in daycare, live safely and thrive.
Chris had the gift of the gab, a generous heart, and a contagious laugh. Few knew of the daily pain he endured due to his biking accident from those many years ago. He kept that to himself.
He chose humor. There was no opportunity for a pithy pun that escaped the attention of Chris. He was a man that truly had no enemy; he would give the shirt off his back to his fellow human. He was a blood donor, paying back every drop that was used to save his life so many years ago. He had a sense that he was living on borrowed time. He appreciated living. He appreciated life. He appreciated his family. He appreciated the sacrament of reconciliation and the new beginnings he could have through his faith. His wife was his best friend.
Chris was a man that never gave up, and who never stopped giving.
He was truly grateful.
Chris will be painfully missed by all.
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