Birth date: Oct 5, 1957 Death date: Jun 16, 2013
Kerry “Sam” Eugene Sheldon, 55 was born October 5, 1957 to Dr. W.G. and Mary Jon Sheldon in Ponca City, OK. He graduated from Ponca City High School, where he was class president, co-captain of the wrestling team, staff writer and Read Obituary
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Karrie Williams,
Owasso, Oklahoma
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We met for the first time at a meeting for Teens Aid the Retarded, (TARS) as it was called, held at The Opportunity Center. I've always chuckled at the irony in that name. Our best friends were dating and had already connected us by the sameness of our names. It was the autumn of 1974 and he had just turned seventeen. I can still hear his calm, tentative voice as we walked together after the meeting. He was always so gently and persistently inquisitive and I loved him for this from the beginning. That next week, we connected in the marble hallway of our high school. I stood by the stairwell and pulled my knee back and forth through the rungs as he asked me out for that Friday night. He wrote 7:00 with his pencil and handed me the torn sliver of paper from the top edge of his notebook. I saved it in my jewelry box for years. The bell was about to ring and as he went off to class, I could not pull my knee from the rungs. I flexed and pulled and began to panic, then forced myself to take a deep breath and pray for calmness until finally finding the position of release. My heart was beating so hard knowing I had a date with the most perfect guy in the world. And for me he was perfect. He drug me along like his little sister to explore and share the wonderfully unique places in our hometown. He saw the world as an open opportunity to learn about everything. During that first winter together, we climbed into a huge arborvitae evergreen and shared its warmth with birds perched on fragile branches. I was a sophomore and he a senior in his last season of wrestling. He was one of the most popular and multi-talented guys in school and I was amazed he was so unassuming of his own fame. He had so many friends and flowed so easily amongst scholars, athletes, artists and musicians, people living in mansions and those living in one-room apartments, and he truly engaged with people who were genius and people who were mentally challenged. My first prom with him was enchanting; he in his beautiful dark suit and red boutonniere, me in my clinging red halter dress and silver slippers. He picked me up from our neighborhood family in his dad's cool car. Kerry called it the “blue car” as he didn't stress its status or even seem to care enough to know much about makes or models. He was always so thoughtful and romantically kind with special gifts he found or made for me: the tiny book of poetry, a gardenia picked from his mother's garden, the necklace he sculpted of a smiling, clay-baked face with its tongue hanging out on one side. I've kept it hanging as part of my décor during all these years.After he graduated we made the most of that summer exploring eclectic places like old barns, caves, bridges and oil derricks with no harm done except for sinking a boat and getting grass on the “brown” station wagon's A-frame. He needed and wanted real life inspirations for his art works. While we certainly were not carefree young people, together we had a world of our own. We never really talked about our upcoming separation but it was understood neither of us felt our free spirits should be tethered when he left for the new frontier of college. During the next three years, when we were able to be together, he was tired from exploring places I wasn't able to follow. No matter how very much we tried, he couldn't take me with him and I couldn't find a way to follow. I will never forget his mother's words, “If you aren't able to do this anymore, I will understand.” It hit me like a bomb as I realized she knew what the future held for us and she held both our best interests at heart. There has always been a void in my life left by where the two of us were.Last month I was listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer on my way to school. I listened to the three ancient and spine-tingling songs we shared over and over and over. I felt Kerry's presence so deeply. I thought, “I'm old, my kids are grown and we should be able to connect again with thirty-seven years buffering us.”I found his photo in an Internet cluster and knew before f
I only have good memories of Kerry from knowing his family, being on the same Judo team and all his contributions to make Po-Hi a more beautiful and nicer place. God Bless you Kerry and your Family. Sincerely, Dan Bolene
I am sad to hear of Kerry's passing. He was such a bright spot in my early years. Years in the wrestling rooms tested one and revealed ones true core. Kerry was pure gold. I have so many fond memories of Kerry and the sunshine he brought into the lives of those around him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.Be at peace, my friend.
I was so deeply saddened to hear of Kerry's death. Our families were so closely intertwined. The world lost a deeply caring, compassionate, and talented artist that day. His memory will live on in my heart and I will think of him often. My deepest sympathies goes out to his brother and sisters, his mother, and to the rest of the family.
My prayers are with you and your family. So sorry to hear the news.
My Uncle Kerry had a heart full of gold. May god rest his soul.
I knew Sam for several years. We always had good conversations, and I always felt a goodness in him. So sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family.
I knew Kerry as a young man, kind, artistic and athletic.Praying that his family and circle of friends find comfort in knowing that his life on earth touched many people that will remember him as a good soul.Kathryn,PO HIMatMaidClass of '76
I am so sorry to hear of Kerry's passing. Every time I tell someone my name, I think of the day he picked Shannon & me up at Woodlands to take us to Bluebirds. He asked her "Who is this?" Shannon replied " This is Claire." After she repeated my name again Kerry replied "Ohhh, (said with an exaggerated southern drawl) you mean 'like On a clear (claire) day you can see forever?'" I will never forget that day. We laughed so hard! He was such a giving, caring person who had an awesome talent! I know he will be missed by so many. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Take care.
