Harry R. Sheldon's Obituary
Harry Richard Sheldon (known as Rick to family) was born on April 11,1932 in Kilgore, Texas, the fifth of nine children born to Leroy and Mae Sheldon.
Dad lived the majority of his childhood in Texas, except for a brief period of time spent with his family living on a cattle ranch in Florida. As a young boy, Dad's education and schooling was put on hold for a while as he was needed to care for his ailing mother, while his dad worked to provide for the family, thus Dad only completed the sixth grade.
Despite this, Dad moved forward and as a young man was very enthusiastic about the game of golf, caddying for up and coming pro-golfers. Dad's love of the game never waned, you would still find him watching tournaments on TV, even just days before his passing, always explaining to his children and grandchildren the different aspects of the game, then often reminiscing of his time as a caddy and his own opportunity's to play in a tournament.
In 1951 at the age of 19, Dad met and married Edna Jewel Stanley, age 17. A union that would last almost 62 years. They settled in Kilgore,Texas where they began their family. Here two son's, Rick and Greg, were born to them. During this time Dad worked in the oil fields. In 1955, Dad in search of work moved his family to the Northwest, settling in Tillamook, Oregon. Here two more children, a daughter Myra and a son Sam, were born to them. This completed their family. In 1962, Dad and Mom moved once more, again Dad in search of work. This time they settled in Tacoma, WA., where they lived for over 50 years.
In Tacoma, Dad found work in the plywood industry and was a spreader man for most of his working career. Later, Dad also enjoyed wild mushroom picking, turning it into quite a profitable little business for himself. I think a lot of his enjoyment of this, was being out in the forest - a place of God's beauty and creation and a place of solitude, for he was a very much a quiet man. Dad loved to garden - whether it was a great vegetable garden or maintaining a beautiful yard, which Rod and I were the proud recipients of his green thumb.
As Mom's health declined, those things became less important and set aside as Dad's focus became caring for Mom - which he did with such love for so many years. It was very difficult, but Dad would never have changed it, even if he could have, he would have done it all over again. He was faithful to care for Mom to the end which came to soon, just 4 1/2 months ago, when Mom passed and Dad's heart was forever broken. A broken heart that he never recovered from. They would have been married 62 years this month on July 23rd.
The last 10 years of Dad's life were the most important for him, for this is when he experienced a new birth and relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dad's faith in his Lord is what carried and sustained him these last 4 1/2 months after mom's passing.
Little did we know that he was to follow so soon after......
Dad left us unexpectantly in the early morning hours of July1,2013 .... when his Lord and Savior called him home - like Mom, his faith became a reality that morning - seeing his Lord and being reunited with his wife Edna. The pain has ended, his heart is healed, the hope of his salvation realized....Dad what a day of rejoicing, we rejoice with you and mom, yet our hearts hurt, for we miss you, but we know you live and we will see you again. It is not the end just the Beginning.
"Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live..." John 11:25
What’s your fondest memory of Harry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harry?
Share a story where Harry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harry you’ll never forget.
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