February 25, 1933 – June 13,2024

Jim passed away at his home in Carmichael, CA. on June 13, 2024 with his wife and family at his bedside. He was 91 years old.

His brother Bill and parents Alton and Mildred Shelton preceded him in death.

He was born in Oakland and completed grammar school in Ashland, CA., before moving to Grass Valley, CA. His father bought Lake Olympia and moved his family into the resort in Grass Valley in 1946.

It was the summer before he started high school and it was the best summer a 13 year old boy could ever imagine. A swimming pool with high dive and slide, a lake with canoeing and fishing and a long bridge out over the lake to the skating/dancing hall in the middle of the lake. He told many stories about that summer at the lake. The kids loved his story about him jumping out his bedroom window into the water.

After leaving the lake, he and his mother remained in Grass Valley for many years.

He graduated from Grass Valley High School and attended Placer College until 1952, when he enlisted in the Army. During the 18 months he spent in Korea, he received numerous medals, badges, and citations including the Bronze Star. He Attended the School For Specialty Training on Biological and Radiological Warfare and he became Squad Leader, Assistant Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant.

After his discharge from the Army he returned to Grass Valley and married his high school sweetheart Janice Rice. They moved to Carmichael, CA. to be closer to his job as Liaison Engineer at Aerojet General Corp.

He worked at Aerojet from 1955 until he retired in 1992. During those years he enjoyed watching his family grow. He continued to love sports, coaching his son’s Little League teams and golfing until his eye site became so poor he had to quit.

His interest then turned to the computer and our family ancestry, which became multiple binders full of generations of Shelton and Rice ancestors. The research was fascinating to him. Like putting a giant puzzle together

Jimmy was a kind and loving husband and father. We will all love and miss him forever.

He is survived by his wife Janice and 3 children: Mark, Todd and Erin King. 4 Grandchildren: Leslie Randall, Erick Shelton, Olivia Escobar and Hyde King. 4 Great Grandchildren: Greyson Randall, Lidia Shelton, Elias and Tucker Escobar.

Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M, Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Grass Valley.