Leonard Charles Shelton was born April 8, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the firstborn son of Charles and Frances Shelton. Leonard was educated in the Cleveland Public School System, graduating from John Adams High School. Leonard accepted Christ in his teens. In 1981, Leonard’s first child and only daughter, Naomi, was born. In 1987Continue Reading
Leonard Charles Shelton was born April 8, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the firstborn son of Charles and Frances Shelton. Leonard was educated in the Cleveland Public School System, graduating from John Adams High School. Leonard accepted Christ in his teens.
In 1981, Leonard’s first child and only daughter, Naomi, was born. In 1987 Leonard married Romona Jackson. To this union three sons were born, Tyrone, Gregory and Jemaal.
In 1982, Leonard joined the Army Reserves. In the fall of 1984, Leonard joined the Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, Leonard served in several capacities including Guard, Rifleman, Light Armored Vehicle Crewman, Drill Instructor and Infantry Leader. He earned several medals including the Marine Corps Conduct Medal w/ 5 stars. After 20 years of service, Leonard retired from the Corps. Not long after his retirement, Leonard spent several years with the organization “About Face: Veterans Against the War.”
Leonard had a beautiful smile and the most infectious laugh. He will truly be missed.
Leonard leaves to cherish his memory his loving parents, Charles and Frances Shelton; his sister, Carla (Dana) Saunders; his brother, Reverend Larry Shelton Sr.; his children; Naomi Baker, Tyrone Shelton, Gregory Shelton and Jemaal Shelton; three grandchildren, Tieona, Jessika and Christian; two great grandchildren, Ty’lah and Caiden; three aunts, Mary Marie, Hilda Gordon and Mary (Napolean) Turnquest; one uncle, Benjamin Shelton Jr.; two nephews, Kobe and Larry Jr. and one niece, Melina, and a host of other relatives and friends
Allison Negron
left a message on June 14, 2023:
Remembering a dear friend, a light to many. Wishing you peace.
Janice Meeks
left a message on May 21, 2023:
I love you cousin I know your at peace now and have gained your wings so fly high king, God has you now.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sending hugs amd my deepest condolences to the Shelton family!
From Mcconnell family!
Peter Grossetti
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Thank you for your service to our nation as a US Marine. Thank you for your service to our world as a truly wonderful human being. May your precious soul know eternal peace.
Stephanie Keaton
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Rest easy my friend. May you find your peace.
Dwayne Spearman
left a message on May 18, 2023:
RIP, brother. It was a pleasure to have served with you. Semper Fi.
Carla Borchelt
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Rest easy my friend.
Billy Montgomery
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Leonard will always be remembered for his calming smile and sweet demeanor. As often as I think of him, my mind goes back to a day in the Marine Corps when we were practicing hand-to-hand combat. I was kicking a punching bag, and he said I wasn't kicking hard enough, so we switched sides so that he could demonstrate for me. He kicked me so hard he knocked me off my feet. Then he smiled. I'll forever miss that smile. Rest in peace, my friend. I'm a better man for knowing you.
Scott Pryce
left a message on May 18, 2023:
I knew Leonard as Sergeant Shelton, when we served together in the Light Armored Infantry battalion of Task Force Shepard during Desert Shield and Storm. He was consistently concerned with his Marines, his LAV-25 crew. And he trained them so that they were proficient and had the best chance to accomplish the missions of defending Saudi Arabia and then liberating Kuwait, and to survive. In defending Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield, our mission was to be the first line of defence, 80 kilometres ahead of any other forces and spread thin. We had several skirmishes with Iraqui units. When we took casualties, it hit him hard. It hit all of us hard. But he immediately knew that he had to shake it off and make sure he led his Marines to victory with generous and selfless leadership. He did just that. In Desert Storm, our commanding general gave our task force the mission to “Use (our) speed, go deep behind enemy lines, and stir up a hornets nest so the slower moving units can advance more quickly.” We were outnumbered 10 to 1, and often surrounded, by Iraqi vehicles. His platoon was the first of the company, which was the first of the task force: the tip of the spear. Some men cracked under the strain, but he never flinched. He was always faithful to the Corps and his Marines. It was an honor to serve with him.
Larry O'Neal
left a message on May 18, 2023:
You will be truly missed ..
Priscilla Lounds
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Leonard was such a special person. He had a beautiful pure soul. He experienced such horrific human tragedies. Still, his soul worked for peace. I am so grateful I had the honor of knowing him. My heartbreak eases with the understanding He is at peace physically now. Leonard was a fighter. Now he'll be behind the scenes still working to get people to understand why the world needs love. I feel you Leonard. Thank you for leaving your beautiful imprint within my heart. You are my Phoenix.
Laura garris
left a message on May 18, 2023:
In memory of Leonard Charles Shelton, Laura garris lit a candle
Marc Andersen
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Initially, I wasn’t too happy to meet GySgt Shelton as he was my drill instructor in boot camp, but over time, I was able to figure him out. He was a caring person who expected the best out of people. To say he gave his all to train us to ensure we were the best we can be is an Understatement. Leonard also stood up for whatever’s right. He never cared who he pissed off in his pursuit of doing what was right.
I got a chance to reconnect with him 25 years later. I got to know him on a personal level with many phone calls and when I made a quick trip to Cleveland to visit him where we went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He never changed in his expectation of the best out of me. This time he pushed me to be a better father and husband.
Leonard, you made a huge impact on a lot of lives. Thank you for being such a great person and mentor. If you ever doubt that, one just has to look at his Facebook and see all of the people that love you and considered you family.
Marc Andersen
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Initially, I wasn’t too happy to meet GySgt Shelton as he was my drill instructor in boot camp, but over time, I was able to figure him out. He was a caring person who expected the best out of people. To say he gave his all to train us to ensure we were the best we can be is an Understatement. Leonard also stood up for whatever’s right. He never cared who he pissed off in his pursuit of doing what was right.
I got a chance to reconnect with him 25 years later. I got to know him on a personal level with many phone calls and when I made a quick trip to Cleveland to visit him where we went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He never changed in his expectation of the best out of me. This time he pushed me to be a better father and husband.
Leonard, you made a huge impact on a lot of lives. Thank you for being such a great person and mentor. If you ever doubt that, one just has to look at his Facebook and see all of the people that love you and considered you family.
Daisy Caraballo
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Rest Easy Leonard you will be missed.
Gone but never forgotten
Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Allison Negron
left a message on June 14, 2023:
Remembering a dear friend, a light to many. Wishing you peace.
Janice Meeks
left a message on May 21, 2023:
I love you cousin I know your at peace now and have gained your wings so fly high king, God has you now.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sendind hugs n prayer to the Shelton family my deepest condolences as well.
Love the Mcconnell family.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Zaida Mcconnell
left a message on May 20, 2023:
Sending hugs amd my deepest condolences to the Shelton family!
From Mcconnell family!
Peter Grossetti
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Thank you for your service to our nation as a US Marine. Thank you for your service to our world as a truly wonderful human being. May your precious soul know eternal peace.
Stephanie Keaton
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Rest easy my friend. May you find your peace.
Dwayne Spearman
left a message on May 18, 2023:
RIP, brother. It was a pleasure to have served with you. Semper Fi.
Carla Borchelt
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Rest easy my friend.
Billy Montgomery
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Leonard will always be remembered for his calming smile and sweet demeanor. As often as I think of him, my mind goes back to a day in the Marine Corps when we were practicing hand-to-hand combat. I was kicking a punching bag, and he said I wasn't kicking hard enough, so we switched sides so that he could demonstrate for me. He kicked me so hard he knocked me off my feet. Then he smiled. I'll forever miss that smile. Rest in peace, my friend. I'm a better man for knowing you.
Scott Pryce
left a message on May 18, 2023:
I knew Leonard as Sergeant Shelton, when we served together in the Light Armored Infantry battalion of Task Force Shepard during Desert Shield and Storm. He was consistently concerned with his Marines, his LAV-25 crew. And he trained them so that they were proficient and had the best chance to accomplish the missions of defending Saudi Arabia and then liberating Kuwait, and to survive. In defending Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield, our mission was to be the first line of defence, 80 kilometres ahead of any other forces and spread thin. We had several skirmishes with Iraqui units. When we took casualties, it hit him hard. It hit all of us hard. But he immediately knew that he had to shake it off and make sure he led his Marines to victory with generous and selfless leadership. He did just that. In Desert Storm, our commanding general gave our task force the mission to “Use (our) speed, go deep behind enemy lines, and stir up a hornets nest so the slower moving units can advance more quickly.” We were outnumbered 10 to 1, and often surrounded, by Iraqi vehicles. His platoon was the first of the company, which was the first of the task force: the tip of the spear. Some men cracked under the strain, but he never flinched. He was always faithful to the Corps and his Marines. It was an honor to serve with him.
Larry O'Neal
left a message on May 18, 2023:
You will be truly missed ..
Priscilla Lounds
left a message on May 18, 2023:
Leonard was such a special person. He had a beautiful pure soul. He experienced such horrific human tragedies. Still, his soul worked for peace. I am so grateful I had the honor of knowing him. My heartbreak eases with the understanding He is at peace physically now. Leonard was a fighter. Now he'll be behind the scenes still working to get people to understand why the world needs love. I feel you Leonard. Thank you for leaving your beautiful imprint within my heart. You are my Phoenix.
Laura garris
left a message on May 18, 2023:
In memory of Leonard Charles Shelton, Laura garris lit a candle
Marc Andersen
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Initially, I wasn’t too happy to meet GySgt Shelton as he was my drill instructor in boot camp, but over time, I was able to figure him out. He was a caring person who expected the best out of people. To say he gave his all to train us to ensure we were the best we can be is an Understatement. Leonard also stood up for whatever’s right. He never cared who he pissed off in his pursuit of doing what was right.
I got a chance to reconnect with him 25 years later. I got to know him on a personal level with many phone calls and when I made a quick trip to Cleveland to visit him where we went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He never changed in his expectation of the best out of me. This time he pushed me to be a better father and husband.
Leonard, you made a huge impact on a lot of lives. Thank you for being such a great person and mentor. If you ever doubt that, one just has to look at his Facebook and see all of the people that love you and considered you family.
Marc Andersen
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Initially, I wasn’t too happy to meet GySgt Shelton as he was my drill instructor in boot camp, but over time, I was able to figure him out. He was a caring person who expected the best out of people. To say he gave his all to train us to ensure we were the best we can be is an Understatement. Leonard also stood up for whatever’s right. He never cared who he pissed off in his pursuit of doing what was right.
I got a chance to reconnect with him 25 years later. I got to know him on a personal level with many phone calls and when I made a quick trip to Cleveland to visit him where we went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He never changed in his expectation of the best out of me. This time he pushed me to be a better father and husband.
Leonard, you made a huge impact on a lot of lives. Thank you for being such a great person and mentor. If you ever doubt that, one just has to look at his Facebook and see all of the people that love you and considered you family.
Daisy Caraballo
left a message on May 17, 2023:
Rest Easy Leonard you will be missed.
Gone but never forgotten
Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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