Shelby Geron McAlister
June 09, 2011

Shelby Geron McAlister, a long time Prineville resident, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011. He was 86 years old.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Prineville Church of Christ for all friends and family Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 1 p.m. Ministers, Del Towel, Mike Reeves and Alan Hill will officiate. Private inurnment will be held Saturday, June 11, 2011 at Juniper Haven Cemetery in Prineville.

Shelby was born in Battiest, Okla. on May 6, 1925 to Zelmer Claude and Mary Othella Cleveland (Barker) McAlister. He was the 11th of 15 children.

He attended school in Battiest, Okla. through the ninth grade. After ninth grade, he worked on his family's farm until he joined the Navy in March of 1944. Shelby served his country proudly from March 1944 until January 1946 when he received an honorable discharge. At that time he moved to McNary, Ariz.

Shelby married Elsie (Wheeler) McAlister in McNary, Ariz. April 8, 1948 and they moved to Prineville in 1953. Shelby worked for Hudspeth, Jefferson Plywood, Warm Springs Forest Products, and ESCO as a journeyman electrician until his retirement in 1990.

Shelby was a very active member of the Prineville Church of Christ since 1954. He loved his church, his family, gardening, and the outdoors. He also adored spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Shelby is survived by sons, Randy McAlister, and his wife Laurie, of Tigard, Ore., and Tim McAlister of Terrebonne, Ore.; daughter, Becky Hustoft and her husband, Eric of Happy Valley, Ore.; sisters, Robbie Rae Jackson, Lela Faye Willson, and Ima Jean Holmes; granddaughters, Jody McAlister , Joy Hrenko, Jenifer DeWolfe, Kelley Gordon, Cheyanne Pettingill, Caitlin and Kristen Hustoft; grandsons, Scott McAlister, Alan McAlister, and Mason Lowen; great-grandsons, Vaughn DeWolfe and Alec DeWolfe; great-granddaughters, Aleysa Lowen, Maddison Gordon and Kimberly Lowen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 11 sisters and brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society; 2350 Oakmount Way, Suite 200, Eugene, OR 97401, or by phone 1-800- 227-2345 in Shelby's name.

Arrangements are in the care of the Prineville Funeral Home.