James Maurice Shelton passed away on February 22, 2026, at his home in San Angelo, Texas. He was born July 27, 1924 in Collinwood, Tennessee to parents Beulah and Arch Shelton. In 1950 Maurice married Lucy Vise in Martin, TN. They were both students at the Martin campus of the University of Tennessee.
Maurice and Lucy moved to Texas the day they were married and began a life together that spanned 57 years which included traveling and many hours spent at their ranch in Concho County. Maurice and Lucy were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church of San Angelo.
Recognized for his work with sheep and goats at the San Angelo Agrilife Research Center and known to many as Dr. Shelton, Maurice held a Ph.D. in Genetics from Texas A&M University. He served a distinguished career as a researcher in Animal Science specializing in sheep and goats and retired as Professor Emeritus with Texas A&M. Prior to moving to San Angelo he worked at research stations in Sonora and McGregor, Texas and in the country of Lebanon. Throughout his career Dr. Shelton travelled to 64 countries teaching, consulting and speaking at conferences.
Maurice remained very proud of his service in World War II. As a Navy seaman in the submarine service, he was in Tokyo Harbor at the signing of the armistice ending the war in the Pacific.
He is survived by four sons Larry Shelton, Dr. Michael and Liz Shelton, Donald and Cindy Shelton all of Odessa and Andrew Shelton of San Angelo. Grandchildren include Nathan Bieber, Christie Bieber, Jessica Bermes, Marvin Smith IV, Austin Shelton and Perry Shelton. Maurice is survived by three siblings, Sue Perkins, Jane Pinkerton and David Shelton who live in Tennessee and Alabama.
