Perry Andrew Shelton, 73, of Lavonia, passed away Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at his home.
Born Sept. 12, 1942, in Stephens County, he was a son of the late Andrew Lester and Rose Zelia Massey Shelton.
He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was employed with Tugalo Gas Co. He loved his family, and enjoyed trout fishing and camping. Perry was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving during the Vietnam Era and was one of the first Navy SEALs.
Family members include his wife, Linda Towe Shelton; daughter and son-in-law, Leah and Charles Cooper of Lavonia; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Christy Shelton of Clayton, Daniel and Stephanie Shelton of Tallulah Falls, and John Reisinger of Toccoa; grandchildren, Valerie Shelton, Jacob Shelton, Clay Shelton, Hannah Shelton, Ashton Cooper, and Morgan Cooper; sisters, Martha Cleveland and Priscilla Brown; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph Shelton and James Shelton; and a sister, Marietta Payne.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at Calvary Baptist Church, with Pastor Michael Staley officiating.
Burial followed at Stephens Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Navy.
The following gentlemen served as pallbearers; Dale Payne, Larry Stowe, Barry Stowe, and grandsons, Jacob Shelton, Clay Shelton and Ashton Cooper.
The family received friends at the mortuary from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.
Whitlock Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitlockmortuary.net.
The Clayton Tribune, Aug. 25, 2016