Thomas Jefferson Shelton Sr.

My Grandfather

 Thomas Jefferson Shelton was born 25 June 1913.

 Sometime in the early 1920's Thomas's mother and father divorced, and she brought all her children to Florida, a journey taking six days at the time. They lived in the New Port Richey, Port Richey, Tarpon Springs area, and possibly on Amelia or Anna Maria Island.

In 1933 he was working as a teller at a bank in Port Richey, Fl. There was a run on the bank and the depositors threatened the staff of the bank. Thomas decided that discretion was the better part of valor, packed his things and walked 25 miles down the railroad tracks to St. Petersburg, Fl. It was there that he met my Grandmother Vivian Lucille Jones.

  Vivian moved down to Florida around 1911 with her parents Homer B. Jones and his wife Mary Agnes Thornton Jones. Vivian had a sister Katherine, a brother Klyde and a cousin Edward or Edwin living with her while growing up. Homer worked as an electrician and for the Phone Company running phone lines.

  Thomas and Vivian were married in 1933 in St. Petersburg Florida. In 1934 my father, Thomas Jefferson Shelton Jr. was born, and his sister a few years later. They are both still living.

Thomas worked for a while as a plumbers assistant for Vivian's uncle A.T. Willey. Then he moved on to working as an insurance investigator. Around 1935 he went to work for the City of St. Petersburg as a clerk. He eventually rose through the ranks and became Superintendent of the Munincipal Transit System. At the time St. Petersburg operated their own trolley and bus lines. Thomas retired from the city in 1965.

  I have only fond memories of my Grandfather. I recall that he was always kind, soft spoken, and a very good story teller. My Grandmother was also kind to me, but she was reclusive from my Grandfather's family. My father tells me that while growing up he hardly ever saw any of his father's family besides his Grandmother. Apparently Vivian never got along with the rest of the Shelton's. My father tells me he rarely saw his uncles and cousins.

  I can only imagine that my Grandfather's easy going attitude came from his mother, since he barely knew his real father. This was passed on to my father, and then on to me. We all seem to be able to tell a good story and read a good book to our children. I know that my daughter appreciates this family trait.

  Thomas and Vivian both passed away in 1981. Vivian in June and Thomas in August. They are buried next to each other in St. Petersburg Florida. Vivian's father and mother are in the same cemetery, close by.

Created and researched by Todd Shelton
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