Shellabarger, Harold LaMoyne's Obituary
Harold LaMoyne (Shelly) Shellabarger
Harold LaMoyne (Shelly) Shellabarger was born to Harold and Genevieve Shellabarger in Wapello, Iowa on June 23, 1934. He attended first through eighth grades in a one room county schoolhouse in Columbus Junction, Iowa. After graduating high school in 1951, he attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, participated in ROTC and was a member of the Persing Rifles. He graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Education and as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
He met the love of his life, Sandra Le Sabin, in 1953 and they eloped in February 1956. During their 64 years of marriage, they had four daughters and more adventures traveling the world than they could count.
Shelly’s first assignment, to Germany, was so enjoyable, Shelly and Sandi decided on the U.S. Army as a career. During his 26 years of military service, the family moved over 30 times. His military recognition included multiple commendations, two bronze stars and the legion of merit. (Not to mention joining his wife to be honored as Military Wife of the year at the White House). He served two tours in Viet Nam and had postings in Germany, Taiwan and multiple assignments at military bases all over the United States including Ft. Carson, Ft. Leavenworth, Ft. Belvoir and Ft. Monroe, where Shelly earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling. His final assignment was Ft. Lewis Washington, where he and Sandi retired and moved to Steilacoom.
After retirement, Shelly sold real estate for two years before joining Smith Barney as a stockbroker. After fifteen years, he retired again and he and Sandi embarked on travels to China, Tibet, multiple points in Europe…and more. Both became community activists and volunteers. Shelly has been a devoted member, including serving on the boards and as president, of many local organizations, including the Daffodilians, Steilacoom Kiwanis, Steilacoom Historical Museum Association, Tacoma Philharmonic, Salvation Army and Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce. He was on the original board of the Washington/Alaska Make A Wish organization and a passionate Master gardener. As a member of the Tacoma Downtown Lions, Shelly was honored to be awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship, which recognizes dedicated service to humanitarian causes. Additionally, he was a dedicated choir member and deacon for the Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood.
Sandi preceded him in death in 2017 after a long trial with Alzheimer’s, and, after such a long separation, Shelly is delighted to reunite with her in heaven.
Shelly wishes to thank the many friends who have supported his works and causes, especially the family at the Little Church on the Prairie for their love, caring and support, with special acknowledgement to Cindy Amundson for her companionship in his final years. The family wishes to thank the staff at Franke Tobey Jones for the loving care he received, and acknowledge the outstanding medical care from his care teams at Madigan Army Medical Center and Tacoma General Hospital.
Shelly is survived by his four daughters and their families including Stephanie Shellabarger (with Steve Weisman), Susan Shellabarger (with Mike Cochran), Kim Shellabarger, and Dawn Shellabarger Grice (with Geoff Grice), and his two grandsons Paul Cochran (with Kaitlyn Offerdahl) and Ethan Grice.
Services will be held at Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood Washington on May 30th at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made in his name to the Little Church on the Prairie, or any of the organizations listed above, as he loved them so much.
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