John L. Shelton

He married the love of his life, Lois Reams, in Phillips, Texas, Nov. 26, 1941, where both worked for Phillips Petroleum. Before Lois passed in 2001, they shared their love of music for 60 years. John graduated from Shawnee High School in 1935 and served in World War II as a T-Sgt Statistician in Army Ground Forces at the Pentagon. He received his BA in music education from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1961 and his MA in music education in 1963. He attended University of Southern California in 1976 for post-graduate work on his doctorate of education. Local residents will recall his early contribution to the gospel music community as part of the Shelton Brothers. After he and Lois married in 1941, she became a part of their music ministry. John and Lois moved to Hollywood, Calif., in the early 1950s. One day he noticed an open door with a piano inside the First Southern Baptist Church in Hollywood. After hearing someone playing the piano, the pastor came out to investigate and found John! John apologized for the intrusion but was looking for a place to practice his piano. Pastor Weaver told John that he could sit back down and keep on playing. And so began 20 (plus) years of friendship and music ministry. While John provided his musical talents to the community, his “day job” was as a real estate loan officer for many years in major California banks. Over the years, he shared many stories of his helping the stars! John was also a teacher of voice, diction and piano for more than 20 years. He was the choral music teacher at Hollywood High School and an instructor of English at LA City College. He directed and produced records and was an orchestra conductor. John was an ordained Minister of Music for California Southern Baptists for many years. Upon his return to Oklahoma in the 1990s, he enjoyed providing music ministry to Victory (Heartland) Baptist Church in Purcell and Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee. His philosophy of music ministry was “music is for everyone — not just a select few!” He thrived on encouraging vocalists and instrumentalists to reach their full potential. He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings. He was survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, sister-in-laws, and many friends across several states. He was a local member of Liberty Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the numerous churches he served over the years in Oklahoma and California. His visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, March 25, 2011, at Resthaven Funeral Home. His graveside service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 26, 2011, at the Tecumseh Cemetery at 18800 Gordon Cooper Drive, Tecumseh, under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home. For additional information please visit our website at www.resthavenfh.com.

Memorials may be made to the L.B.C., 711 E. Federal, Shawnee, OK 74804.