Dale Shelby, age 97, passed away peacefully in his home on August 15, 2026, with family.

Dale was born in Gould, Oklahoma, on December 17, 1928. He was the firstborn of six siblings.

He served in the Army, Army Reserve, and Air National Guard.

He received a Master's degree in Administration from the University of New Mexico, a bachelor's degree in Education, and an associate's degree in Automotive & Diesel Technology from Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State University).

He worked as a fireman on the railroad in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado during the summer and Christmas breaks from school. The rest of the year, he worked as a Greyhound bus driver between Stillwater and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This paid for his tuition and books.

He taught for Albuquerque Public Schools for 34 1/2 years. During that time, he also ran the Albuquerque Public Schools Camp Gallagher summer camp program up in the Jemez Mountains for 13 years.

He was married to Patsy Teague on January 23, 1953, and they had five children. Dalena, Linda, Terry, Wayne, and Alan Shelby. Dale was preceded in death by two of his children, Dalena and Linda Shelby. Dale is survived by his wife of 73 years, Patsy, and three of his children: Terry, Wayne, and Alan Shelby, along with his two grandchildren, Alec and Noah Shelby.

Dale and Patsy were lifelong members of Hoffmantown Baptist Church, where Dale served as a deacon, usher, and greeter among other roles. Dale was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 285, where he completed the National Wood Badge requirements for Boy Scout Leaders. The Boy Scouts of America presented Dale with the Award of Merit for outstanding service to the youth of this community through idealism and citizenship. He also served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 292 at Hoffmantown Baptist Church.

Dale enjoyed teaching, mentoring, working on his farm, and spending time with his family and grandkids. He enjoyed football, basketball, baseball, golfing, skiing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and traveling with his immediate and extended family.

Patsy remembers him as a godly man, loving husband, father, dad, papa, and a very hard worker.