A Lee County boy, U.S. Army Corporal Jimmy Lee Shelton of Alva, was killed Saturday in Iraq when mortars hit his camp. Although there were many soldiers injured, his was the only death.
In early September, before Shelton left for Iraq, his mother traveled to Fort Campbell, Ky., to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving.
While there, she joked with her son about the possibility of paying money to get him out of having to go to Iraq, but said her son wanted to go and help the people living there.
"He didn't want a way out of it," said Billi Jo Shelton, 38. "No one forced him to do this. He knew he might not come back, but he was proud to die for his country."
He was with the 101st Airborne Rakkasans, and had planned to be a Florida Highway Patrol officer.
My condolences to his family and my thanks to him for his service.
I'm going to send something nice to his mama. If any other Floridians want in, let me know.
Think the News-Press photographer took a picture of a beet-red family in the pitch black? Nah, he's just adding 'atmosphere'.
UPDATE
JIMMY LEE SHELTON 2005-12-11
Army Corporal Jimmy Lee Shelton, age 21, of Alva, was killed Dec. 3, 2005 in Bayji, Iraq. He was born Apr. 15, 1984 in Belle Glade. He was a member of B-Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Calvary, Iron Rakkasans, 101st Airborne, from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Jimmy was a recipient of the Army Commendation Award and the Purple Heart for his service in Iraq.
He was a member of Gunnery Road Baptist Church in Buckingham.
Survivors include his father and mother: Burgess and Billi-Jo Shelton of Alva, Donna Manger, mother and her husband Doug of Belle Glade, brothers: Burgess A. Shelton Jr. of Savannah, GA and Douglas Shelton of Clewiston and a sister: Jennifer Reese of Belle Glade. maternal grandparents: Arce and Zora Salvador of Athens, TN and maternal grandparents, William and Bonnie Mahlbacher of Fort Myers. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Nathan Shelton.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at Riverside Church in Fort Myers with Pastor Terry Vance and Pastor Dick Riley officiating. Military Honors and interment will be Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 from 5-9 p.m. at Akin-Davis Funeral Home, Fort Myers, FL.
***
Condolence cards can be sent to:
Burgess and Billi-Jo Shelton
6811 County Road 78 W
Alva, FL
33920
My husband & I took Jimmy offshore fishing when he was a young teenager. We had a blast just watching him having fun! The next time we met, it was at his gradmother's house in Hilliard, Florida. It was right before he was due to leave for Iraq. What a dedicated young man - to family & country. I will send my bracelet with his name on it to his mom. Billie & Burgess are good people & raised a fine young man. We'll miss you Jimmy.
Posted by: Kathy at December 8, 2005 09:17 AMI'm still trying to make sure I got the correct contact info.
UPDATE:
I've verified the contact info and added it above.