Obituary for
Lyle Thomas Shelton
submitted by
Edgle Dyer
| Lyle Thomas
Shelton, 76, of Bakersfield, Calif., passed away Thursday, April 8,
2010, in a Mission Hills Hospital. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Brownfield Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ken Reeder officiating. Interment followed at Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home. Lyle was born June 15, 1933, in Brownfield to Joe Lyle and Ida Mae Shelton. The Reno Air Races community is mourning the loss of a legend. Lyle was a Reno Air Races Champion and commercial pilot. He was the original pilot and owner of the "Rare Bear," a highly modified Grumman F8F Bearcat aircraft that gained fame at the Reno Air Races. Lyle had more wins than anyone else in the sport.Rare Bear hit top speeds of more than 500 mph. Lyle began his career in air racing in 1964, and in 1966 he signed-on with Trans World Airlines piloting 707's, 727's and Lockheed L-101 I's. He retired in March of 1991, but continued to participate in the Reno Air Races. Lyle was a six-time gold champion and a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Lyle is survived by his wife, Joyce; a son, John Edward Slack and wife Melody Ann; a granddaughter, Mariah Slack, all of Bakersfield, California; a nephew, John Keyes; great nephew, Shawn McKenzie. He is proceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph Arnold Shelton and his sister, JoAnn Shelton. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the ASPCA.
Brownfield News |