Chief Boatswain's Mate Clarence Edwin Ed" Shelton (Ret) age 82 of Ormond Beach FL lost his defiant battle with Alzheimer's and left this life on the tenth of June to join his parents Clarence Elias and Susie Irene Shelton and his sister Dorothy Jean Rhodes. Funeral Services with military honors will be held on Saturday June 16th at 1:00 pm with the family receiving friends beginning 11:00 am at Lohman Funeral Home; 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach. Ed began his life's journey on October 5 1931 in Ft. Worth Texas. He attended Amon Carter High School where he excelled in sports and was a lead member of the school's football team. Beyond playing semi-pro football in his spare time for the Standard Oil football team in the early 50s' Ed's love of football continued throughout his life as he was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys' fan. For those who knew Ed well they will remember his deep hearty laugh as he recanted life at sea through ever embellishing sea stories' as they shared that never ending cold beer. In 1949 Ed began a life dedicated to his family the nation and the United States Coast Guard. Chief's military career took him to both adventurous and often dangerous duty here at home and throughout the world. During his military service which was his life's passion the Chief' served during the Korean War the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. After 26 years of honorable service of which 22 years were deployed sea duty' Ed retired in 1975. At the culmination of Ed's career he was entitled to wear the Coast Guard Commendation Medal the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with "O" Operational Device the Coast Guard "E" Ribbon the Good Conduct Medal with silver star and one bronze star National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star Sea Service Ribbon with silver star Overseas Service Ribbon Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Meritorious Civil Action Unit Citation with palm. After his active career in the military Ed moved to Miami FL where he met and married Crystine "Tina" Sullivan. He began a second career in the service of the citizens of Florida. Ed's unique leadership style took him into Healthcare Facilities Management with Doctor's Hospital South Miami Hospital and the Miami Children's Hospital. He's service and supervision dramatically improved those facilities. Ed remained in the Healthcare Facilities Management profession until his final retirement in 1989 when he and Tina retired to Ormond Beach. Ed leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life his loving wife Tina four sons LtCol. Raymond S. Shelton USMC (Ret) and wife Shirley Albuquerque NM former Sergeant Robert E. Shelton USMC and wife Mona Port Angeles WA Chief Warrant Officer Ronald W. Shelton USCG (Ret) Rio das Ostras Brazil and Gunnery Sergeant Patrick Shelton USMC (Ret) Fredericksburg VA his sister Delores Beene and husband Don Hurst TX as well as five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed's will be placed to eternal rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Remembrance of Ed may be made by raising a glass to this unique patriot and to the United States Coast Guard. Should you desire you may make a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association of America. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.