Roll Call Tribute

Raymond Stevens "Steve" Shelton 

August 1, 1945 - August 18, 2025 

RAYMOND STEVENS SHELTON was born on August 1, 1945, at the Laura Eldridge Memorial Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas. He was born just six days before the Atomic fell on Hiroshima. His parents, Herbert Raymond Shelton, Jr. and Mary Stevens Norton were apprehensive about raising a child in such uncertain times. Yet peace prevailed, and the family grew with the addition of three siblings: Valerie Katherine, Nancy Louise and Carl Lee.

Steve, as he was known, cherished his childhood in Sugar Land. He was deeply woven into the community fabric-- playing with the neighborhood children, attending the First Presbyterian Church, and being an active member there, attending school, participating in all the sports, football being his favorite. His high school team reached the state championship in his junior year, a memory he held dear despite not winning. After graduating from John Foster Dulles High School, Steve attended Texas A&M and Texas A&I on football scholarships but left college to join Nalco Chemical Company in Sugar Land in October 1965.

On December 22, 1966, Steve married his soulmate, Rose Marie Alford at the First Baptist Church in Sugar Land. Their 58-year marriage, celebrated in 2024 was filled with adventures and brought four children: Kacy Marie, Tracy Leann, Steven Wade and Molly Beth.

In May 1973, Steve relocated his family to a farm in El Campo, Texas purchased by his father for a joint cattle-raising venture. The farm became the heart of their family life. Steve retired from Nalco Chemical Company in June 1978 after 12 ½ years, built a home on the farm and started working for Exxon Company USA in Vanderbilt, Texas in June 1978. He thrived in his career, faith, community, loved the outdoors, loved fishing and spending time camping with his family and friends. He loved to dance and was President of the Plainview Dance Club for years. Steve and Rose could really cut a rug on the dance floor and at times the other dancers would stop just to watch them dance. He belonged to the Young Farmers of America organization for many years, making many friends. He belonged to and was very active in the Methodist Church belonging to the Pairs & Spares group and holding the position of Lay Leader for several years. Steve is Past Master of the El Campo Masonic Lodge #918. He loved his Lodge buddies and visited with them often. He was always helping out wherever and whenever anyone needed him.

In 1997, Exxon transferred Steve to East Texas to the Overton field separating him from his family for five years—a period he deeply regretted. He was not happy living away and was overjoyed when ExxonMobil finally moved him back to the El Campo area. Steve retired from ExxonMobil in August 2003 after 25 years of service. Post-retirement, he worked briefly with Boll Weavil Eradication in 2004 and later with Driving Safety Services in El Campo, enjoying the proximity to home. He retired permanently after several years.

Retirement allowed Steve to indulge in fishing, camping, farm work, and time with his children and grandchildren, visiting friends, watching movies and having endless conversations with whoever he could find to listen. He never met a stranger and never missed an opportunity for a good conversation. Steve lived with integrity, honesty, and fairness, guided by his faith in Jesus Christ.

His life was lived to honor God. He was a fair and just man, full of love for not only his family but all of mankind. Steve knew the value of friendship and practiced it often, treating everyone with love and respect.

Steve passed away, leaving behind a legacy as a devotional husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Alford Shelton, his daughters; Kacy Marie Bain (Keith); Tracy Leann Appling; Molly Beth Volek (Darren), a son; Steven Wade Shelton ( Amanda); Nine grandchildren, Amber Rose Miles (Jacob) and Ethan Luke Bain (Channing); RaeAnna Leigh Appling and Steven Wyatt Appling; Charles Stevens Shelton and Sophie Evelyn Shelton; and Kaiden Hunter Volek, Kason Lane Volek and Kenton Ray Volek; Five great grandchildren, Cullen Miles and Slade Miles, Evelyn Bain, Wyatt Bain and Holly Bain; Two sisters, Valerie Katherine, wife of Ralph Kodell, Nancy Louise Pruitt, and One Brother, Carl Lee Shelton and wife, Barbara. Also, by six nieces, five grandnieces and eight grandnephews.

Graveside services will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 23 at St. Procopius Cemetery, 1693 CR 319, Louise Tx. Memorial donations in memory of Raymond may be made to First Methodist Church or Houston Hospice – El Campo.