Dr. Thomas (Tom) David Shelton, age 62, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at his home in Lexington, KY. Tom was born in Princeton, KY, on December 13, 1963 to the late Thomas Leslie and Jo Anne Shelton.
Tom was a passionate leader for public education and spent his life devoted to Kentucky’s public schools, serving students, educators, and communities as a superintendent, statewide education leader, and trusted advocate. All the more, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather (affectionately titled, “Goggy”), brother, son, and friend.
Tom is survived by his wife, Sharon Hays; his daughters, Abby Shelton Sizemore (Justin), and Audrey Shelton; his granddaughters, Ann-Thomas and Edie Sizemore; his sister, Debbie Shelton Miller; his former wife, Gwen Shelton (Heather Thomsen); and his step-children, Austin England and Grace England.
A visitation and memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church, 150 E. High Street, Lexington, KY 40507, and will be officiated by Rev. Justin Sizemore. Visitation will be from 10 AM – 1 PM (Eastern Time), and the service will begin at 1 PM (Eastern Time).
The memorial service for Dr. Shelton will be live-streamed at
https://youtube.com/@calvarybaptistlexington
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the United Way of the Bluegrass https://www.uwbg.org/give or Protect our Schools KY https://secure.actblue.com/donate/protect-our-schools-ky-2.