Glenn Terry Shelby

Surrounded by his family, Glenn Terry Shelby, age 62, passed from this earthly life into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 8, 2017. Glenn was born in 1955 in Miami, FL, the only child of Donald and Rhean Itara (“Tara”) Shelby. After graduating from Miami-Palmetto High School in 1973, he attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he earned his B.B.A. degree in 1976. Following his graduation there, he attended law school at the University of Florida and received his J.D. degree in 1979. While in law school, Glenn met his future wife, Nancy, on a blind date, and they were married in 1979. The following year, Glenn and Nancy moved to Lakeland where Glenn began working as an associate attorney with Lakeland attorney James S. Welch. He continued practicing law from 1980 to 2013, focusing in real estate, estate planning, and probate. In 2013, Glenn was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the position of Circuit Judge in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. He was very active in the community as well, serving on the Citizens Advisory Panel for Lakeland Lighthouse Ministries, and on the Board of Directors for both Lakeland Christian School for 23 years and for Camp Gilead for 4½ years. He was a member of both the Lakeland and Bartow Rotary Clubs. His church and church family were very important to him too; he was a member of Lake Morton Community Church for over 35 years, serving faithfully in many roles there, including as an Elder. But the event considered by Glenn to be the most significant in his life was when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1973. Although very thankful for the opportunities he enjoyed, he considered his life with Christ and the blessings of family and friends to be far more important than any of his accomplishments. Glenn enjoyed cars, the Florida Gators, traveling, and trips to Disney World, a place he never tired of exploring and experiencing, especially with his family. He and Nancy are blessed with 4 wonderful children and 6 grandchildren, and in addition to being an amazing, loving husband, he cherished his role as Dad and Grandpa. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Tara, and by his son, Stephen. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy, and children Aaron (Elizabeth) Shelby, Elizabeth (Mark) Duncan, and Hannah (John) Tyler, as well as grandchildren Leila, Matthew, Leanna, Holly, Luke, and David. The family will receive friends Friday, Dec. 15th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., in Lakeland. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Dec. 16th, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Morton Community Church, 169 Lk. Morton Drive. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.