Delmer Lee "Bud" Shelton, 83, who lived the majority of his life in Efland, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in his home on Pecan Acres Farm in Chinquapin, North Carolina, on December 11.

Born of the late Clyde Shelton and Orange Irene Shelton and also predeceased by his brother Donald Owen Shelton, sister Alma Lou Shelton Falin and her husband Gene, he always cherished memories of his beloved Appalachian Mountains, specifically those with his friends and family in Dunbar, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Leigh Shelton, his Labrador Retriever, Charlie and his brother Douglas Edward Shelton (Ruth). He was so very proud of his children Donna Shelton (Steven Moore) a Certified Physician's Assistant and Navy veteran, Dana Shelton Gates a detox technician, Jake Shelton an accomplished artist, and Dawn Craft (Mark) an educator and Persian Gulf War veteran. He was especially close to and proud of his grandchildren Joshua Shelton (Liz), Donna Schloer (Tye), Kyle Long (Jennie), Adam Long (Jaclyn), and Max Craft. Great-grandchildren Henry and Emily Shloer filled him with joy.

A 1958 graduate from Appalachia High School, he served in the United States Navy from 1958-1966 as a corpsman and deep sea diver. He subsequently graduated from Duke University and served as a Certified Physician Assistant and Deep Saturation Experimental Diver at Duke University Medical Center until 1997 before working at the Veteran's Hospital in Durham.

Passionate about serving others and contributing to the advancement of healthcare, he served on the Governor's Healthcare Commission, was a life member of the NC Medical Society, a recipient of the American Academy of Physician Assistants Distinguished Service Award, the Duke University Physician Assistant Distinguished Alumni Award, and four-time President of the NC Association of Physician Assistants. He was the holder of two world records for simulated dives using gas mixtures (1,000 feet and 2,132 feet) conducted at the F. G. Hall Hypo/Hyperbaric Center at Duke University Medical Center. The 2,132 foot dive is listed in the 1980 Guinness Book of World Records. He counted working alongside a group of Duke PA students to help families affected by Hurricane Floyd and mission work to provide medical care to underserved residents of Jamaica as two of his most meaningful contributions.

While honored on many levels, his greatest joy came from his family and his service to others, spending time with his beloved animals, farming, chopping wood, boating, and enjoying roadways via Ford Mustangs and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

To honor his memory, his family will host an informal celebration of his life on Saturday, December 17 from 1:00-4:00 pm at his home on Pecan Acres Farm at 575 Ludie Brown Road, Chinquapin, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harvest Child Care Ministries, 180 Harvest Home Drive, Duffield, VA. 24244 or Residential Treatment Service of Alamance,  P.O. Box 427, 125 Glendale Ave. Burlington, NC 27216.

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Shelton Family.