Lawrence “Larry” Shelton, 92, passed away peacefully Jan. 23 at his home in Burns. He was blessed to have his family and special caregivers at his bedside. Larry had been in failing health from renal and congestive heart failure.

Larry was born May 17, 1923, in Logan, Utah, to Aloy and Florence Shelton. Larry’s father passed at an early age, so Larry had to take on many responsibilities and help provide for his mom and siblings. This resulted in Larry’s giving nature, and providing for his own family was a life-long goal of which he verbalized just a few hours of his passing. He was a very devoted man. It was often mentioned amongst the family members that if everyone was half as devoted to their family and spouse as Larry was, there would be no divorces.

Larry came to Harney County on leave from the Merchant Marines because of a labor dispute in the late 40s. He didn’t have a place to stay, so he traveled to Burns with Henry and Bill Church to their mom’s family ranch at the Narrows. This is where Larry met their sister and life-long love, Berneace Church, his wife of 65 years. He stayed in Burns, and didn’t return to the Merchant Marines.

Larry got a job working for Hank Dickerson at the US Bank, and worked in management positions for 38 years until he retired in 1986. While working at the bank, he met another life-long friend, Dan Kincheloe. The Kincheloes and Dickerson families have continued their life-long friendship, and support each other.

Larry lived and worked in Harney County for more than 65 years. He was honest and above all else, he was a man of his word and to be trusted, making his “Yes” mean yes, and his “No” mean no. He was a champion of Harney County ranchers, the business community, and individuals who needed financial assistance. He worked at a time when a hand-shake and eye contact were valued as a contract with trust and integrity. Larry put emphasis on these qualities.

Larry served his community in many ways. He helped in the Kiwanis and served as its president; was treasurer for the Salvation Army, as well as treasurer, lector, and Sunday school teacher at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; he served as Harney County Fair parimutuel racing director, and was recognized for his community service by being selected Grand Marshal for the 1996 Harney County Fair. In January 1982, he was selected Harney County Man of the Year by the chamber of commerce. He was a member of the National Guard and served one term in the U.S. Army. Indeed, Larry served his community with the gift of devotion.

Larry loved golf, and was a Valley Golf Club member, traveling on a seniors golf team for tournaments around Oregon. He enjoyed the outdoors, and spent his time gardening with his wife, Berneace. He also helped with the yards of his neighbors when needed. Larry and Berneace donated and tended to the planters on main street (especially by that old yellow truck) in downtown Burns, and many times could be seen hauling milk jugs full of water to water the plants.

He loved his sons and grandchildren, spending time camping on Steens Mountain, golfing, hunting, and haying with his brother-in-law, Pat, and moving cattle at the ranch in the Narrows. He enjoyed cooking meals and loved having large barbecues in the back yard of the family home on Court Street. His unique abilities of bartending, providing special drinks, telling stories, and a sense of humor that created much laughter will be treasured forever in memories.

Larry is survived by his wife, Berneace; sons, Gary Shelton and his wife, Rhonda, of Morrow, and Mike Shelton and his wife, Lois, of Bend; sister, Margaret Appel; grandchildren, Ty and his fiancée, Courtney Lee, of Cary, N.C., Cole Shelton of Folsom, Calif., Shawna Epperson and her husband, Jay, along with their children, Becca and Cadie, of Dallas, Nick Shelton and his wife, Shannon, along with their two daughters, Bella and Aleah of Bend; sister-in-law, Doreen Church  and her son, Dean, of the Narrows; nieces, including Jackie Drinkwater and her husband, Bob; nephews, Lloyd Church and his wife, Melissa, of Vancouver, Wash., Andy Church and his wife, Debbie, of Damascus, Ron Church and his wife, Patty, of Gresham, and Bill Church of Blaine, Wash.

Donations in Larry Shelton’s memory may be made to St. Andrew’s or to a charity of choice.