Lt. Col. Ret. Earnest Allen Shelton

LT. Col. (Ret) Earnest Allen Shelton was born September 22, 1917 in Brashear, Missouri; Son of the late Edgar and Lois Platz Shelton. He graduated in 1935 and immediately entered the armed services. He served 36 years. He was in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam and stayed in the armed service until he retired as Lt. Col. in 1972.

He was wounded several times and received numerous medals which included, Combat Badge, Parachute Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army General Staff Identification Badge and Alabama Commendation Medal.

After retiring from the service he took up flying and taught flying at the private airport in Columbus, Georgia. During this time he taught a number of prominent people to fly. He taught over 500 people to fly. He also gave tours of the airports for children, over 5,000 of them and people from the nursing home came out for tours. On November 1, 2002, the Mayor of Columbus named that day "Earnie Shelton Day". The City of Columbus also named the street in front of the private airport, formerly CSG, now Flightways Airport, "Earnie Shelton Drive".

He has attended Hillside United Methodist since 1999. He is a member of Wilson Williams Masonic Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Phenix City Shrine Club, Alcazar Temple in Montgomery, AL, Military Officers Association of America, Military Officers of World War and the VFW.

Earnie's first wife, Gladys Shelton, predeceased him and he is survived by his present wife, Carolyn G. Shelton, daughter, Margaret Ann Klein, Son, Douglas L. Shelton, three step-sons, James Bradford Moore and wife Vickii, Albert Keith Moore and wife, Patricia, Gregory Robin Moore and wife, Shirley Ann, brother, Joe and wife Nite, 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and many loving friends.

Funeral services with military honors will be held 11:00 A.M Friday Mar. 21, 2014 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby, Phenix City, AL with burial to follow in Main Post Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home.

To sign the online registry, please go to www.shphenixcity.com

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