Samuel Thomas Shelor (Tom), 75, of Dublin, passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2010, from complications of kidney failure and diabetes. He was born May 25, 1935 in Snowville, Va. to Samuel Lee Shelor and Stella Mae Sowers Shelor. Most of his adult life was spent in Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked as a machinist for Crown Cork & Seal and raised a family. He was an expert marksman, winning trophies and awards at shooting matches, and enjoyed bowling and golf. Everything he learned to do was a science to him, and he had a brilliant mind. He loved good conversation with friends, and enjoyed friends from all walks of life. He was a Seventh-day Adventist, and made it clear when he entered hospice care that he was right with the Lord and ready to go to sleep until the resurrection. He was predeceased by a son, Samuel Thomas Shelor, Jr. in 1989. Surviving him is his wife of 55 1/2 years, Rose McCoy Shelor, and his living legacy in four daughters and their families: Rose and Jerry Bowen, of Floyd, Va., Jackie Shelor of Florida, Samantha Shelor of Dublin, and Patty Shelor of Dublin, and a niece, Wendie Murphy, was "adopted" as another daughter he nicknamed "Number Five." Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren: Christopher Dickerson, who was like a son to him, and very tenderly cared for him in the last year, Jeremy Bowen, Jonathan Bowen, Angelina Yuvanavattana, Rebecca Shears, Joshua Bowen, Sarah Keen, Timothy Bowen, Kurt Dickerson, Abigail Bowen, Joey Dickerson, Elijah Bowen, John Scott, Jacob Scott, and Simeon Bowen, and "adopted" grandson Kevin Dillow who helped with Dad's needs. There are also fifteen great-grandchildren who loved him dearly. He is also survived by two sisters and one brother and their families: Nadine Burton of Baltimore, Md., Wanda and Berk Bibee of Christiansburg, Va., and Alvin and Patty Shelor of Pearisburg. The family would especially like to thank Dad's best friends here in Dublin, his childhood friend Lowell Lancaster, and neighbors Mr. O'Dell, and Calvin Terry, who added so much joy and meaning to Dad's last years, who were there for him when he was lonely and needed friends to talk with, who visited him in the hospital and ministered to him, and to Curt Orwig, Dad's former neighbor in Baltimore, who drove down here last weekend to sit with Dad, hold his hand and give back rubs, Dad treasured his friendship with Curt as a second son. Special thanks, too, to Dr. Christmas in Baltimore, who loved Dad and treated him as she would her own father during his time there. And thank you to our Pulaski Seventh-day Adventist Church family for being there with us through this dark journey. Your love and prayerful visits were so appreciated. Dad was larger than life to all of us, and we are so thankful we were able to have him as long as we did. At his request, his body has been cremated, and the family will have a memorial service at a later date. We have all said to him in person what we would have said about him afterward, so to some extent, this week has been a memorial service. Condolences may be sent to the Shelor Family at PO Box 293, Pilot, Va. 24138, or by email to shelors@nrvnews.com. Arrangements have been made through Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.