Memorials › James David Shelton

James David Shelton

31 Dec 1936 – 8 Jan 2012

Birth31 Dec 1936
Death8 Jan 2012
Added byDiehard Bravo on 15 Jan 2012
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83259461

Bio

James David Shelton 75 of Rancho Mirage, CA died Jan 8, 2012, following a valiant three year fight with liver cancer. His beloved children Maria and Raymond were at his side when he slipped away peacefully. He was born Dec 31, 1936 in Lubbock, TX the son of the late Eva Robinson Shelton and Raymond D. Shelton. He graduated from the University of CA at Berkeley in 1959 and received his Masters in Science at the University of North Texas in 1991. In 1963 Shelton moved to Amarillo, TX to work for Santa Fe Railroad. It was there that his two children were born. He was co-owner of Adams-Shelton Communications with his long-time business partner Keith Adams owning several radio stations in West TX including Z-93 and KLS. He and Adams were also publishers of Accent West magazine. He served on the Northwest TX Hospital Board of Directors including one term as president. His dedication to his own recovery and sharing that with others lead him to the next chapter of his life as a substance abuse and addictions counselor and interventionist. Shelton began his career in Dallas, TX working for several different treatment facilities in the North TX area before relocating to Palm Springs. He worked as counselor in various programs at The Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage for 12 years until leaving in 2005 to form his own intervention practice. He continued to do contract work for The Betty Ford Center until shortly before his death. Through his work Shelton touched the lives of countless people seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction who will be forever grateful for the change he inspired in their lives. Just prior to his death Shelton was made an emeritus member of The Network of Independent Interventionists in recognition of his years of dedication and service in the recovery field. He is survived by his life-partner of 17 years Richard Burckhardt of Rancho Mirage; his daughter Maria Lynn Shelton Dameron and son-in-law Mark Wallace Dameron of Centennial, CO; his son Raymond Ted Shelton of Dallas, TX; his granddaughters Camille and Eden Dameron of Centennial, CO; his brother Bill Shelton of Aledo, TX; his brother John Shelton of Fort Worth, TX; two nieces; and three nephews. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. The family requests that donations in his memory be made to underwrite The Betty Ford Center Children's Program operating in Dallas, TX, Denver, CO and Rancho Mirage, CA. Please make checks payable to The Betty Ford Center Foundation 41-990 Cook St Suite C-301 Palm Desert, CA 92211.

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