William Kent Shelton
In remembrance of a loving husband, dad, grandpa, son, uncle and friend whose passing will be deeply felt: Kent Shelton was born on November 6, 1957 and peacefully passed on January 30, 2018 in his home encircled by the love of his wife, children and friends.
Kent leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 25 years, Susan Shelton (Bauer); his beautiful daughters, Brenda Koehn of Amarillo, TX (husband Michael), Shannon Shelton of Albuquerque (wife Jamie), Stephanie Stewart of Alb., Samantha Breeding of Alb.; his handsome sons, Eric Bauer of Alb. (wife Astacia), Shawn Stewart of Alb. (wife Kelleen); his exuberant grandchildren, Madylin Koehn, Emma Dewees, Amelia BreedingStewart, Adyson Gorden, Hunter Perea, Mallory Bauer, Alexander and Kinsley Stewart; his brothers, Keith Shelton of Amarillo (wife Vickie), Kevin Shelton of Montana (wife Sharon); his sister, Kim Thompson of Amarillo (husband Tom); his mother, Nelda Shelton of Amarillo; and lots of other family and fur babies. Kent is preceded in death by his father, William Haskel Shelton.
Kent graduated from TSTI in Amarillo with a mechanical engineering and design degree and was employed in the drafting and design department at Sandia National Laboratories in 1987. In October 1990, he was hired as a permanent employee. In 2001, Kent changed career paths to be an explosive component engineer where he was working when he passed.
Kent’s interests were multi-faceted. Prior to his life in Alb., he worked at Burlington Northern Railroad on the Amarillo to Texas Line for nine years where he developed a love of trains. Kent has been a member of NM Railrunners Nscale Model Railroad Club from 1997-2018, acting as President the last five years. He was also a member of ASHOME and loved to run his model trains at JB&N Railroad in Placitas. He was an active member of Alb. Int’l Brotherhood of Magician Ring 90 Magic Club for over 15 yrs. Kent was also the official scorekeeper for the NM Scorpions Hockey Team from 1996-2009. He carried his love of hockey into the ring with his family as a player and referee for the hockey club at Roller King. He was also a Balloon Chase Captain for Bruce Skaggs out of Kansas at the Int’l Balloon Festival for 12 yrs. Kent was a member of the NM Gunfighters where they performed 1880 comedy reenactments in Alb. Old Town from 2005-2010. Kent also played softball in Sandia Nat’l Laboratory leagues for the Desperados team for over 15 yrs.
A celebration of Kent’s life will be held on February 10th, from 1-3 pm followed by a reception from 3-5 pm at Eastern Hills Baptist Church, 3100 Morris St NE, Alb, NM 87111.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Kent’s memory to Colorado Model Railroad Museum, 680 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80630 or New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society, NMSLRHS, PO Box 27270, Albuquerque, NM 87125-7270, or any homeless shelter or the charity of your choice.