Albert E. Sheldon, Jr.

Albert E. Sheldon, Jr., 89, of San Angelo, Texas passed from this life at 8:00 p.m. on July 9, 2014 at his residence.

He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on July 17, 1924 to Albert Sheldon, Sr. and Dorothy Lawrence Sheldon. Al graduated from Crosby High School of Waterbury in 1943.

On May 15, 1943 he entered the Army Air Corps and went through basic training at Jefferson Barracks, MO. He started his extensive training as a pilot at Butler University, MO in 1943. From there he went to San Antonio Aviation Classification Center for preflight training to Primary Training School at Bonham, TX. After passing basic flight training at Perrin Air Field, Sherman, TX and advanced flight training, (single engine) in Eagle Pass, TX, he graduated in November 1944. After graduation, he moved to Victoria, TX for special training in fighter gunnery for transition to P-40 fighter planes.

WWII in Europe was winding down and while in route to fly P-47 fighters, he came to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX. While stationed in San Angelo, he met Faye Brunson of Ballinger and after literally falling in love at first sight, they were married on January 27, 1944.

Soon after, Al was discharged and returned to civilian life where he found jobs hard to find and didn’t pay a living wage, so he re-enlisted as M/Sgt and was assigned to the 22nd Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, in Panama. After he and Faye had spent three years in Panama, they returned to Hensley Field, Dallas, TX.

Between 1950 and 1953 he was assigned to the Air Attaché Office at Ering Air Force Base in Bavaria, Germany. While post-war Germany certainly had not been their preferred destination, it turned out to be a fateful journey.

After Germany, Al worked as an instructor at the supply school at Frances E. Warren AFB, WY, transferring to Nonresident Training Office writing OJT manuals. In 1955 he was appointed Warrant Officer and was assigned to teaching officer supply school to company grade officers. In 1958 and 1959 Al was stationed in Iwo Jima as Base Supply Officer and Base Petroleum Officer. Returning stateside, he was first assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB in the Research & Development Equipment Authorization Office, then shipped to Etain AB, France in 1962, where he served as Base Supply Officer, Base Supply & Management Officer, Base Supply Management & Procedures Officer, transferring to the position of Base Munitions Officer. In 1965 he returned to the USA where he was assigned to Headquarters Office of Special Investigations, Washington, D.C.

During his military career, Al was a master marksman and was on the USAF Pistol Team. Retiring as CWO-4 in November, 1969, he began working on his academic

education. He enrolled in Angelo State University, earning a BA in 1975 and a ME in 1977. He spent 10 years in the field of education, starting at a school in Loraine as
counselor, then to Colorado City School as counselor, and finishing his career as teacher and counselor at Bronte High School.

After retiring from teaching in public schools in 1991, Al worked with CASA in San Angelo for a number of years. He had been a Master Mason for over 60 years, his last lodge being Masonic Lode 870 of San Angelo. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite. Al was an active member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. He sat on the Board of the “Reunions of 1944 Pilot Classes/Pilots of WWII,” helping to organize successful annual gatherings of former pilots.

Preceding Al in death were two brothers, Lawrence and Robert and their parents. Survivors are his beloved wife Faye Brunson Sheldon of their home; daughter, Gudrun Held and husband, Otto, of Brussels, Belgium; sisters, Beatrice Frances of WY, Gloria St. Pierre of CT; and brother-in-law, Jack Brunson, retired Presidio County Judge, County Commissioner, and Border Patrol and his wife of Marfa; plus many nephews and nieces.

Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, July 18, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Lange Funeral Home Chapel with Max Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in Ballinger Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to Hospice of San Angelo, Meals for the Elderly, and VFW Fort Concho Post #1815.