Shelby Kingman

Shelby Thomas Kingman, 82 of New London, passed away Friday morning, March 12, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

The service will be live streamed at: https://www.ourlivingwater.org/shelbykingman.html Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Shelby was born September 30, 1938 in Lead Hill, Arkansas, to Martin and Olga Kingman. He attended school in both Arkansas and Washington, D.C. before joining the Air Force in 1956 at the age of 17. He was stationed in both the US and Okinawa, Japan where he was trained as a nuclear weapons mechanic specialist. After his honorable discharge from the military, Shelby met the love of his life, Carol West. They were united in marriage in 1962 in Washington, D.C. and were blessed with three children. Shelby worked as an IS Manager for the Washington Daily News and The Washington Post before settling in Willmar where he worked at The West Central Daily Tribune for thirty years starting as a typesetter and eventually becoming an IT Director. After retirement Shelby worked for Green Lake Lutheran Ministries until 2019.

Shelby had a great love and talent for music and was a well-known local artist. Playing in such bands as Hanson Trio, The Outlaw, Shelby & Alex, Deadwood, Cedar Creek and Don & Shelby. He also enjoyed playing at music jams as well as at Whitney Music. He was an outgoing person and blessed with many friendships throughout the years.

Time spent with family was Shelby’s whole world. Whether it be camping, grandchildren’s sporting events, family reunions or just gathering around a card game or a meal, Shelby cherished every minute.

Shelby is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Karen (Robert) Nelson, son James (Beverly) Kingman, daughter-in-law Anne Heike, seven grandchildren, Joshua (Jennifer) Nelson, Matthew (Tiffany) Nelson, Rachel Nelson, Zoe Kingman, Phoebe (Christopher) Kingman, Hannah (Kyle) Gjerde, Connor Kingman, three great grandchildren, Kaiya, William, James, three sisters, Iva Jacobs, Rose Harris, Betty Cockrum, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Shelby Jr., his parents, two brothers and two sisters.