Jerry L Shell

Friday, August 13, 1937 to Friday, July 23, 2010 A Resident of Baton Rouge, LA Visitation Services will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, MO Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 12:00 PM at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, MO The Final Resting Place is at the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill, MO Jerry L. Shell, age 72, of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away Friday morning, 23 July 2010 at 0855. Shell was born in Glen Allen, MO, 13 August 1937 and later moved to Lutesville, MO where he grew up and attended school. He was always proud to have made Kindergarten, First and Second grades all in the same year. Shell was always known as an achiever in everything he did, and proudly earned not only the Boy Scouts of America's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, but an additional 3 Palms. After his high school graduation at age 16, he joined the US Army where he proudly served as Combat Engineer and Green Beret for 22 years. Shell served in Korea, two tours in Vietnam, Germany, Central and South America and Alaska. He was hand-picked, over his peers by his superior officers to lead more missions than anyone. shell was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal 1st. Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal six times, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60th. Division, Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Vietnam presidential Unit Citation, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Meritorious unit Commendation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit Citation, and two over-seas Service Bars. His last assignment before retirement was the Army National Guard in West Virginia, stationed in Charleston. Shell was wounded in Vietnam but refused to leave his men and seek medical attention. He would have been awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds, but his unwavering courage would not allow him to leave those he served with. Shell lived his life with that same attitude. After his dedicated service to his country, he was Shop Foreman at Matlack Trucking Lines (Pipeline on Wheels) in Baton rouge, LA. He was a member of Florida Boulevard Baptist Church, Sergeant Majors Association, VFW Post #3784, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, USDR, NAUS, the 14th. Engineers Battalion and other military organizations. Shell is survived by his devoted and loyal wife Irma, his children Joy & Pappy, David, Troyce & Ralph, Jerrylea & Jeff, Jessica & Ken, and his youngest daughter "Missy", his grandchildren, Nathan & Cheryl, Colby & Heather, Ben, Zak, Megan, Reily, Justin, Jody, Christy & Mat, Alyssa, Monica, Dana, Stephanie, Jesse-James, Jerrett, Lars and Sven, and great-grandchildren; Brandon, Dylan, Joshua, Aurora and Gabriel, as well as the mother of his three daughters, Rita Shell. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Omar and Margaret Shell, his brother Omar Jr. (Sarge), and sister Anne rice. He will be sorely missed by all who've met and loved him and his ready wit. The family will receive friends Thursday 29 July 2010 at 10:00 am, at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill. There will be a graveside service at Noon Thursday at the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Florida Blvd. Baptist Church, Generations Hospice or the Heart Association. The family offers a very, very special thank you to the staff at Generations Hospice and those who served him well, with special thanks to Rosa, Paula, Lacey, Desiree, Roxanne and Brother Elmo. Jerry lived down the street from us when he was in high school and true to his word, he joined the Army as soon as he graduated. I wondered if he could adapt to the Army and if he would like it as much as he thought he would. Apparently he did....r.i.p. What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget I will always regret that I did not get to meet this wonderful man. After reading his obituary I can see even more now why Justin looks up to and aspires to be like his Grandfather. I wish I could be with the family in their time of grief but the military couldn't let me go at this time. I send a salute to you SGM Jerry L. Shell and know that where ever you are you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Leann While we did not know Jerry, we do know Troyce and wish to express our condolences to the entire family. Jim & Patty Bergen Our prayers go out to our family at this time. Wish we could be there with you but our circumstances will not allow it. Please know that our thoughts wnd prayers will be with you throughout your time of grieving. Know that God's grace can be sufficient if you'll reach out by faith and accept it. God Bless all of you. Eddie and Grace Buford

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Jerry L Shell

August 13, 1937 - July 23, 2010