James Leon Shelton, 85, of Black Rock departed from this life on September 26, 2023, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.  He was born in Eaton, Arkansas on November 25, 1937, to the late Tibble and Felia Shelton.

Leon worked as the superintendent for Clark General Contractors Inc. for 37 years. He served in the United States Army spending the majority of his service time in Germany.  He was a member of Faith of the Apostles Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Yvonne Shelton; a brother, Hulen Shelton; a sister, Jolene Shelton; a grandson, Grant Shelton; step-daughter, Cindy Higginbotham; and step-son, Danny Higginbotham.

He is survived by two sons, James (Monica) Shelton, Jr.  of Jonesboro, and Tim (Angela) Shelton of Black Rock; a brother, Robert (Fern) Shelton of Portia; a sister, Verlene Cantrell of Fresno, California; a granddaughter, Lauren Shelton of Jonesboro; step-granddaughter, Crystal Smith; two step great-grandsons, Aaron and Cody Daughertree; step great-great grandson, Henry Finn Daughertree; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4 p.m.  at Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.  A memorial service will follow at 5 p.m. with Matt Morse officiating.