the Shelburne family.
George William Shelburne, 69, of Redding, CA passed away on October 27, 2024, after suffering a massive heart attack.
George was born on September 25, 1955 to Lawrence and Frances Shelburne in Glendale, California, as No. 7 of 8 siblings. He was a very active kid, and especially enjoyed playing basketball at the local park after school.
After graduating from Glendale High School, he moved to Mount Shasta where he attended College of the Siskiyous. Being the stand-out athlete he was, George was immediately appointed to starting quarterback of the football team. He graduated from COS with a degree in History, and while working full time he went on to attend Simpson College in Redding and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
In 1978, he began his 40+ year career with the U.S. Postal Service, beginning in Palo Cedro, California, and retiring in 2018 as Postmaster of Cottonwood, California.
In the fall of 1975, George met the love of his life, Rhonda Dunlap, at the local Weed hotspot, “The Dairy Bar”.
It wasn’t long before George worked up the courage to ask Rhonda out on a date, and the rest is history. Their 47-year marriage began in Redding on a hot summer day in June, 1977. In 1981, they began expanding their family tree with the births of their three children, Nicholas, Matthew, and Ashley.
George loved staying involved with his children’s school and outside activities, coaching soccer, baseball and basketball. During the school years he supported the parent clubs and became President of the SHS Choir Boosters from 2000 to 2005.
George was a natural athlete and enjoyed many sports, including, in his younger years, city league flag football, basketball and softball. He later become an avid golfer. He met many fellow sportsmen over the years, and loved meeting new friends and hearing their life stories.
George was born with a green thumb, and loved working in his yard. He kept his landscaping pristine with a lush green lawn, consistent trimming of trees and bushes, freshly mowed grass, and the planting of seasonal flowers.
In 2018, George made the decision to retire, which enabled him to spend more time with family, especially with his grandchildren, who he loved to dote on.
George loved a good adventure, which included traveling around the world, to more than 32 countries.
George took to heart the advice of famous travel aficionado, Rick Steves, and ingrained himself in the local cultures he visited.
This included taking photos with the locals, creating friendships, and getting in the middle of several large protests with his arm raised high.
He also made it a priority to return to his Los Angeles roots to see family, and take his kids to Disneyland, or, on several occasions, making the big trip to Texas to see the cousins he loved.
He loved giving back to the community he lived in by volunteering as a member of the Lions Club, and helping out at the Riverfront Playhouse. Still wanting to do more, George followed his heart and his desire to give back, and began a rewarding part-time job at Pathway Church, were he was also a member.
George was preceded in death by his father Lawrence, mother Frances, brothers Larry and Richard, and sister Kathy. He is survived by his wife Rhonda, sons Nicholas (spouse Justina) and Matthew (spouse Shannon), and daughter Ashley (spouse Chris) and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Eileen, Carol, Elizabeth, and Margie, and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services honoring George will be held at Pathway Church on November 8, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Obituary by the Shelburne family.
