Hundreds of mourners gathered to remember the lifetime impact of longtime former Beaumont fire chief C.A. “Pete” Shelton during funeral proceedings conducted July 31 in Beaumont. Among the congregation were city, county and state officials, as well as fire personnel of all ranks and stations, collectively recollecting the many branches of community service Shelton furthered over the decades.
A rosary for Shelton was recited July 30 at Broussard’s in Beaumont. A mass of Christian burial was conducted July 31 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, with pall bearers assembled largely from Southeast Texas fire department administration. Shelton’s interment was hosted with honors by the Beaumont Fire Department at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, also in Beaumont.
Shelton, 92, died July 25. He was revered as one of the most influential leaders in the fire service and the community – but he was much more.
Shelton was born in Beaumont to Ralph Dewey and Helen Mary Enderle Shelton on June 25, 1932.
According to his obituary, he learned to appreciate the value of hard work and having the ability to provide for his family while growing up during the Great Depression. He grew up in a devout Catholic family who instilled that faith in him. He enjoyed helping his father raise many small farm animals as a young child. When he wasn’t helping with the animals, he would help with his family’s garden, where he developed a love for gardening that he carried into his adult life.
His childhood home was right behind Fire Station No. 7, where his father worked as a Beaumont firefighter for part of his career. He enjoyed playing with his siblings and friends around the fire station in his free time and listening for the tones to come through the station. The early exposure to fire service influenced his decision to join the Beaumont Fire Department after graduating from St. Anthony High School in 1950. He served with his father, brother and uncle. The family tradition grew when his son, Patrick Shelton, became a Beaumont firefighter.
Shelton started his career with the Beaumont Fire Department in 1950. He joined the U.S. Army in 1958 and remained in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1966.
He progressed through the ranks, earning the appointment to fire chief in 1976. During his 20-year tenure as fire chief, he provided as a shining example of what service to the community is. He developed the Beaumont Fire Training grounds, a world-class training facility that still exists today.
Shelton established the Fire Department Headquarters building, a state-designated historical landmark, as the Beaumont Fire Department Historical Museum. In 1986, the museum was established as the State Fire Museum of Texas.
Through his leadership, he was able to relocate fire stations, improve response times, establish a maintenance shop for fire and emergency services vehicles, and many other progressive accomplishments for the department. In 1987, he worked with the International Association of Fire Chiefs to develop the Fire Chief’s Code of Ethics, which remains a guiding resource for Fire Chiefs today. In addition, he served tirelessly, gaining many more accomplishments than those noted, and served in leadership capacities on numerous advisory boards and non-profit organizations.
He was proud of his involvement with the Texas A&M Fire Training School as an instructor and in other capacities for over 40 years. He also served the SabineNeches Chief’s Association, including a term as the association’s President. During his service career, he earned many local and national awards, highlighting his commitment and love for the fire service and the City of Beaumont. As fire chief, he also stepped up to fill the position of interim city manager to help the city through a time of changeover. In addition to his 46 years of service to the city, he was called back to serve the department once more 11 years after his retirement. He returned as interim fire chief in 2007 and served one year while the city worked to find its next fire chief.
In addition to the 47 years of service to the Beaumont Fire Department, Shelton served on the Board of Commissioners of the Port of Beaumont for many years.
During his 30-year tenure as a commissioner, the Port of Beaumont saw many advancements and accomplishments. The success and growth of the port provided strength for the city of Beaumont and the entire region.
Shelton married Kathleen Corder in 1961 and the couple had three children.
When he wasn’t working, Shelton enjoyed going to the family cabin at Crystal Beach, taking everyone to watch Patrick play baseball at West End Little League and to see football games at Forest Park High School. He also enjoyed hunting in his free time. After retirement, Shelton enjoyed spending time with his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He maintained good relationships with his many friends, especially his St. Anthony High School buddies. He was well known for keeping a consistent weekly gathering at Market Basket for coffee and conversation.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen Shelton; son, Patrick Shelton; his daughters, Karen Whynot and husband, Bob, and Jill Proctor and husband, Jay; grandchildren, Kathleen Hendon and husband, Cody; Anthony Fazio and wife, Kate; Anna Foster and husband, Matthew; and Ford Proctor and wife, Madison. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar Institute of Technology Foundation Chief Pete Shelton Scholarship Endowment on the LIT website at www.lit.edu/foundation/ ways-to-give/donate-now. For more information, contact Krista Hunter at foundation@lit.edu or (409) 839-2956.
Contributions can also be made to the Fire Museum of Texas, 400 Walnut St., Beaumont, Texas 77701 or the St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, 850 Forsythe St., Beaumont, Texas 77701 www. sacbstx.org/page/annual-giving.
Remembering a public servant that still assisted with the Beaumont port’s ongoing success, Port Commissioner Georgine Guillory spoke of Shelton’s passing at the Jefferson County Commissioners Court meeting July 30.
“We’re over at the port really thinking about the days when Pete was there,” Guillory said of Shelton, although she added that he kept in touch even after retirement and was still a in-tune with port happenings. “Pete was a giant.
“He is going to be severely missed.”