James E. Sheldon Jr.

James Edward Sheldon, age 77, passed away Friday, June 9, 2023, at his home in Independence, Kansas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Webb & Rodrick Chapel on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, at 1:00pm. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00pm prior to the service. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial suggestions are to Harry Hynes Hospice, 1503 W. 11th St. Coffeyville, KS and AWOL (Animals With Our Love), 116 S. 23rd St., Independence, KS and can be left with the funeral home.

Jim, as he is best known by, was born on February 25th, 1946, to James E. and Louise (Bowen) Sheldon in Independence, KS. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Independence, along with his parents and sisters growing up. In 1964, he graduated from Independence High School. After completing Independence Community College, Jim graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969.  Then he earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1970. Later, in 1974, he became a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. His desire to achieve and his love of numbers kept Jim motivated to be quite a businessman the rest of his life. In 1991, Jim obtained his private pilot license in Texas. He loved to fly!

He put his business talents to work in Dallas, Texas, and was quite successful for the next thirty years. Accounting and management were his focus. Among other businesses, Jim had a wrecker service for years, and ultimately, five full service Texaco stations in North Dallas.

Jim and Dennilyn (White) met in 1989 in Dallas and were united in marriage August 15th, 1992 at Corinth Presbyterian Church in Parker, Texas. In 1994, they moved back to Jim’s hometown of Independence where they started several businesses and to help take care of his mother, Louise. Sheldon Enterprises became a car dealership and auto insurance business. Sheldon Properties involved rental properties, and in 2003, he purchased the King Apartments. Jim was focused on brick and mortar investments. Then the Credit Bureau of Independence was available, so Jim purchased it and continued to service landlords, banks and businesses. Jim and Denni opened Chestnut Street Floral Emporium in 1999, then later purchased Hasselmann’s Floral in 2005, making it their main floral shop. Jim loved the floral business, but Dennilyn loved it more for the next 22 years.

In Jim’s spare time, he never turned down an animal in need. He always had dogs, cats and horses. After he returned to Independence and had many acres of land, he started Valley View Acres Pet Sanctuary, a licensed pet rescue with the state of Kansas. Jim and Dennilyn did this for over 25 years. Many of Jim’s customers loved Molly, his yellow Labrador, who faithfully went to work with him daily and slept in the office all day for over ten years. About 50 or more dogs are waiting to be with Jim in heaven.

In July 1997, Jim purchased the church building at 11th and Main. First Church of Independence was where Jim began his cable television ministry “Gospel Hour” in 2000. This continued every Sunday for 19 years. His love of Bible study and preparation for weekly lessons were the loves of his life. He loved teaching bible history and scripture lessons from a dedicated layman’s hard work and prayer.  First Church of Independence meant everything to Jim. He praised Lord Jesus for everything during his weekly lesson.

Jim was very devoted to helping his family and most of all his mother. He loved cooking, oldies music, antiques, collecting everything, the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals…..Really …Jim never had much spare time.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson Aidan Thomas Crettenden.

Those left to cherish his memory are the love of his life Dennilyn, children: Denise (Leigh) Crettenden; granddaughters: Eleanor and Abigail of Seguin, Texas; Ashlee (Luke) Rice, granddaughter Savannah; grandson Kellen Parker of Midland, Texas; Joe Parker, grandsons Liam, Eli of Houston, Texas; sisters: Victoria Thomas, of Shawnee Kansas and Jan Sheldon (Jim Sherman) of Lawrence, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Jim would like to thank Harry Hynes Hospice for their kind and helping hands and loving support.