1933
Lyle
2010
Lyle Thomas Shelton
June 15, 1933 — April 8, 2010
LYLE THOMAS SHELTON, 76, of Bakersfield, CA passed away Thursday, April 8, 2010 in a Mission Hills Hospital.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Brownfield Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ken Reeder officiating. Interment will follow at Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 5-7 Friday at the 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, CA; a nephew, John Keyes; great nephew, Shawn McKenzie. He is preceded 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.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Brownfield Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ken Reeder officiating. Interment will follow at Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.
The family will receive visitors from 5-7 Friday at the 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, CA; a nephew, John Keyes; great nephew, Shawn McKenzie. He is preceded 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.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Lyle Thomas Shelton, please visit our flower store.
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