Mitch had the warmest smile and was always so pleasant to be around. He made everyone feel at ease around him. Your kind heart and warm soul will be forever missed. Rest in peace. From Marty & Alicia
In loving memory
Mitchell Ray Shelton
February 12, 1953—September 14, 2026
His life
Mitch
Mitchell Ray “Mitch” Shelton, 73, died on September 14, 2026, in Bastrop, Texas.
Mitch was born on February 12, 1953, at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, to Clell and Linda Shelton. He often described himself simply as an honest, hardworking, down-to-earth man. Those who knew him would say that he lived up to those words.
Mitch was a master toolmaker and expert prototype machinist. Meticulous by nature and gifted in math and geometry, he built a career around work that demanded patience, intelligence, and precision. His work included making components used in heart valves and orthopedic replacements. He took pride in doing things correctly, whether he was working professionally, repairing something at home, or helping someone he loved.
Family was at the center of Mitch’s life. He adored his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Elizabeth Hartwell, and worked tirelessly to build a home grounded in faith and love. He was a willing father in the truest sense, present by choice rather than obligation and generous with his time, patience, and love. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He expressed his love freely and backed it up by showing up, helping, checking in, sharing meals, and making sure the people around him knew they could depend on him.
Mitch was a man of faith, and his faith shaped the way he understood his life and served others. He gave his time and skills to various charitable efforts and looked for practical ways to help people. He was deeply grateful for his parents, his wife, his family, and the years they shared. He loved playing guitar and performing, fishing, traveling, cooking for family gatherings, and working on projects. His humor, generosity, loyalty, and steady presence will be remembered by everyone who loved him.
Mitch is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen (“Kathy”) Elizabeth Hartwell; his sons, Riley Hartwell Inks and Thomas Michael Inks; Riley’s family, Li Qin Inks, Edward Charles Inks, and Hope Hartwell Inks; and Thomas’s family, Jennifer Sear, Charlotte Ella Inks, and Emma Elizabeth Inks. He is also survived by many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clell Shelton and Linda Shelton.
Mitch’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 603 Spring Street, Bastrop, Texas. A reception will follow at approximately noon.
Mitch was loved deeply, and he will be missed. His family will carry forward the honesty, hard work, faith, gratitude, and care for others that defined his life.
Service
Funeral service & reception
Mitch’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at approximately noon.
Photos
Family photographs
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Memories
What people remember
9 people have written something about Mitch.
I was going to the break room one day at work (Carbomedics) when I saw a guy working on a lathe. He had some odd object mounted in a special made fixture. I thought, wow that's cool! Well that object turned out to be a femoral hip stem. It was just one of the processes of machining (manually) an Intermedics femoral hip stem. Yes, Mitch was a master machinist. I later was able to bid into the machine shop where we went on to become friends. I learned a lot from Mitch and others just as talented and went on to become a journeyman machinist myself. We shared some good times together, one of which he took me and my 2 kids Melanie and Joel fishing on his boat. He was happy to give us tips on where the big fish were hiding. There were two friends at my wedding and Mitch was one of them. So yes, Mitch Shelton was a good friend and he will be missed.
Mitch was a great person with a heart of gold. Meeting Mitch and Kathy was a blessing in life. He always had a project going on in the background. Enjoyed listening to him sing and talks about life. You will be missed.
My memory of Mitch will always be that he had a wonderful sense of Humor and a big heart. He was a man of faith. He always made myself and my siblings and family all feel welcome in his home. He was one of the most kind, caring and thoughtful men I have ever known. He will be missed, but I know that he is with God. My prayers are for Kathy to find strength to move forward.
The first time I met Mitch, he shook my hand and greeted me with his signature warm and inviting smile. I had probably come to see Riley and Thomas, but if I'm honest, I was mostly there to eat whatever delicious meal Kathy was cooking. Over the years, Mitch and Kathy started jokingly referring to me as "the good son." I am still not sure what criteria I met for such an honorable title, but I gladly accepted it and have since proudly waved it over Riley and Thomas whenever I can. Mitch truly treated me like an adopted son. He offered me fatherly wisdom, hugged me like family, and feely told me that he loved me without hesitation. I am grateful for the way he welcomed me into his life with genuine love.
I knew Mitch and Kathy from when they were teenagers they taught me how to water ski and Uncle Carl's boat then I went into the service and kept in touch with Mitch the best that I could went to the reunions and enjoyed it immensely I will always have fun memories of this and these moments together with them may the Lord keep Mitch forever and ever and give Kathy the strength to move on for
I found these additional photos that I wanted to share since they were wonderful, joyful memories of 2 different family reunion trips! I love the one during a rainstorm with the cross! There is something very special about that one. During those trips, we witnessed the most awesome thunderstorms.
In the year 1973 I had one of my most memorable memories. It was a very small concert in the den of Mitches dad’s home. Mitch wanted to play a few songs on his guitar before his dad, my dad Tony and myself. He played and sang in his beautiful, heartfelt way. One song touched the three listeners greatly. After the song was completed, I was overwhelmed with emotion, then I looked at my dad and uncle Clell. They were caught up not only in the way Mitch presented the song so well, but in the arresting nature of the lyrics. The song was , Cats in the cradle” if you’re not familiar, give it a listen. Mitch lived a life by the power and blessings of God. Now he is celebrating!
When I think of Mitch, I smile and I laugh! We had so much fun together at our family reunions. I remember him driving us around one by one in an old jalopy that made lots of noise lol! I think of the music, him singing with his guitar and all of us sitting in a circle listening to him and enjoying every moment. I think of the meals that Mitch and Kathy made for the family, the smoked brisket, the prayers around the dinner table. He will be surely missed! He now rests in peace and so we are now at peace. God bless you Kathy and Family! We have lot of pics and i will post a few more later! This one is all of us with Mitch’s band at a nursing home.
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