Joe D. Shelton, Oriental Guide and Lady Terry

Joe has been married to his best friend and wife, Terry Shelton, for 26 years.  Joe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas at Sheppard AFB and for the next 17 years moved all over the United Sates as an Air Force dependent.  He graduated from Brewer High School, White Settlement Texas in 1971 and immediately joined the Air Force.

Terry is originally from Modesto California, and she works for La Petite Child Care Centers and is the Lead for the Baby Room.  Joe and Terry have 2 daughters and three grandchildren, two of whom they are raising, Brittany and Jordan.  Terry is a Past Bethel Guardian for Bethel 4, a member of Turquoise Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and a new member of the Daughters of the Nile, where she is a member of the Ladies Clown Unit. 

He is now the Branch Manager for Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., in New Mexico.  He manages approximately 450 officers, serving 67 clients, with an annual budget of $10.5 million.  He has been employed with Securitas, formerly Pinkerton, since 1994.

Prior to working for Securitas, he retired from the United States Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant after 22 years in the Security Police Career Field. He served in such places like Clear, Alaska; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Iraklion, Crete; Athens, Greece; Castle AFB, California, Taegu and Kunsan AB Korea; Clark Field, Philippines; Mather AFB, California.  His last assignment was at Phillips Laboratory ~ Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland AFB.   There he was the Acquisition Security Manager under the Directorate of Acquisition for the Secretary of the Air Force. He managed security programs involving more than 300 employees, both military and contractors.

Joe “Howdy” Shelton has been active with this Shrine since 1995.  As a member of the Clown Unit, he has worked hard to preserve that unit’s devotion to the kids and integrity of its members.  He was President of the Unit in 2002, and the Unit’s Secretary Treasurer for the last 7 years.  

Joe has been a key player in Masonic Youth Programs.  Joe is currently serving as Associate Bethel Guardian for Bethel 4.  He was Master of Sandoval Lodge #76 in 2000, has served on the Finance Committee, and was Masonic Youth Liaison.  He served in the Grand Lodge as Senior Steward and as the Grand Lodge Masonic Youth Chairman.  He is also a member of the Santa Fe Scottish Rite Bodies.

Joe is a firm believer in what the Shrine stands for and will work diligently to ensure the Shrine continues its greatest philanthropy. He first learned the meaning of Shrinedome from his Commanding Officer in the Philippines. He saw a Shrine parade in Manila and during the parade he observed on the sidelines a big clown holding a disabled child.  He witnessed the clown with tears flowing from his eyes.  Later he discovered that Clown to be his Commanding Officer.  He knew right then if being a Shriner could make the hard-bitten, rough, no nonsense man humble before a small child, there was indeed something mystic about the Shrine.  

Joe was appointed to Second Ceremonial Master by Past Potentate Wally Vigil. His goals as a Divan Officer are simple, become a better man, give back to society what he has received from Masonry and the Shrine, develop the ability to laugh at himself, cherish the life and happiness of children, and leave the earth a little better place than he found it.