Arthur Leland Shelton, 87, of Hereford, Texas passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023.Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Avenue Baptist Church in Hereford.
Leland was the proud President of the Texas Agricultural Aviation Association in 1983 and the National Agricultural Aviation Association in 1985. He was chairman of the committee that developed Operation S.A.F.E., which has been instrumental in the industry concerning spray patterns and drift control. Leland was awarded with the NAAA Agrinaut Award in 1990 and the Outstanding Service Award in 1985 (now called the Zoren & Joan O’Brien Memorial Outstanding Service Award).
Born May 17, 1936 in Taft, California to Olin and Thelma Shelton, he was a graduate of Dimmitt High School and joined the Army where he became a paratrooper.
In 1958, Leland moved to Hereford and began working for B&O Spraying Co. In 1960, he met Mary Patton, the love of his life, and they were married on July 30, 1961. Shortly after their marriage he started flying lessons and in 1964, he got the opportunity to become a partner in the company, and it became Whiteface Aviation. He was the managing partner until 1986, when he became the sole owner. During his time in the aerial application industry, he received many awards and recognition.
Leland was a great hard-working husband, father, and grandpa, who was always proud of his family, loved having family get togethers and he also loved the times he spent in Ruidoso. Leland also enjoyed working, playing golf, fishing, and many other things.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary, of Hereford; sons, Terry and his wife, Sandy of Hereford, Jeff and his wife, Kim of Crockett; grandchildren, Jessica and husband, Nathan, Tanner and wife, Whitney, Raegan and husband, Ryan, Peyton, Teagan and wife, Sydney and Macie; great grandchildren, Sonen, Cora, Wesley, and Lyla; brother, Jerry and wife, Beth of Tulia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Laquita Griffith and Melba Conard, and a brother, Donald Shelton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Avenue Baptist Church, 130 N 25 Mile Ave, Hereford, TX 79045 or to Hereford Senior Citizens Center, 426 Ranger St., Hereford, TX 79045.
