Dennis Shelley

Dennis Shelley, 70, beloved Husband and Father, was called to his eternal resting place on February 4, 2018. He entered this world on September 25, 1947 in San Bernardino, CA, born to Basil and Elsie Shelley. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Rae Shelley; son, Basil Shelley; son, Michael Shelley. He is also survived by a sister, Debra Page (Tony); and niece, Ashley Page of Grand Terrace, CA; as well as nieces, Sarah Koziak Vasquez of San Bernardino, CA and Shelley Koziak Kranda of Alaska.

Dennis grew up in Colton, CA where he attended Catholic elementary school and graduated from Aquinas High School in San Bernardino in 1965. Dennis served in the Navy from 1965 to 1968 as a storekeeper aboard the USS Point Defiance in the Pacific and the USS Nimble in the Mediterranean. In 1974 he received a bachelor's degree in English from San Jose State University. He worked at the the Federal Archives and Records Center in San Bruno, CA.

Before moving to Albuquerque in 2016, he lived for many years in Blythe, CA aspiring to become a writer, but giving most of his time to the care of his family. He loved long winter hikes in the desert with his family, early morning walks through town, and hours of reading books from the library or his collection. He was a kind, generous and gentle man who lived peacefully. He will be greatly missed by his wife and sons. A memorial mass was offered on February 15, 2018 at St. John XXIII Catholic Community. Interment will be February 20, 2018, at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.