Jerry Lee Shelby

Jerry Lee Shelby - “Moon”, (71), passed graciously on the morning of March 28, 2022 inside his loving home of Mason, OH. With his most beloved by his side, Moon began his ascent in pursuit of Heaven’s gates.

Surviving him: his remarkable and benevolent wife, Lynn Shelby, of thirty-eight treasurable years; four grateful and adoring children: Jerry E. (Katie), Joe (Tillie), AJ (Staci), Deanna; three extraordinary grandchildren: John, Maxwell and Carter, whom Moon cherished deeply. Jerry was loved by his sister Judy Stout; as well as over fifty nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, spread both far and wide.

Preceding him: his angelic son, Jack; devoted parents, Katherine and Hubert; and two frolicsome siblings, Jean and Jim.

Funeral service will take place at Bethany United Methodist Church (6388 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Liberty Township, OH 45044) on April 8, 2022. Services will commence at 11 AM, with open visitation beginning promptly at 9 AM. Officiating the ceremony, the honorable and distinguished, Reverend Bill Bowdle.

Please refrain from contributing flowers to the ceremony. Instead, please consider a donation to the causes Moon held dearest to him:

American Heart Association - Jerry Shelby Memorial Fundraiser
American Lung Association - Jerry Shelby Memorial Contributions
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans - Jerry Shelby Memorial Contributions Hospice Foundation of America - Jerry Shelby Memorial


Born July 19, 1950, in the quaint town of Jellico, Tennessee, Jerry Lee was welcomed warmly into the arms of Hubert and Katherine (Wattenbarger) Shelby. A few years later, when Jerry was three, the Shelby’s relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, and nestled into the working-class community of Norwood.

There, Jerry worked his way onto the high school basketball team. On the hardwood, he was known for the breadth of his jumper, not to mention his slick ball-handling skills. In the classroom, however, Jerry was a renowned rabble rouser and weisenheimer to boot. After receiving his diploma, whilst amid the ghastly Vietnam War, Jerry took it upon himself and enrolled into the United States Armed Forces. Before he knew it, he was residing in the pleasurable Peach State; sweltering his way through bootcamp and howbeit yearning for a simple piece of produce.

A few long weeks later, Basic Training had ended, yet the drudgery had just begun. Instead of getting berated across the muggy lands of Fort Gordon, Jerry spent his remaining teenage-years laboring as a lineman. Scaling telephone poles day-in and day-out, all in the honor of Old Glory.

A steadfast patriot through-and-through; something that’s been with him since day one!

By the time his service had come to an end, Jerry had proudly matured into a highly respected Sergeant before his discharge came due. And much to his dismay, he left in Honorable fashion. Then, upon being deemed a civilian once again, he bolted back to the comforts of the Queen City where his father helped in landing him a gig at General Motors. Working assembly during the day, while dogged to the baseball diamond at night.

For years, Jerry played semi-professionally around the Tri-State area. Mostly as a second baseman, although he had no qualms in covering the rest of the terrain either. Likewise, for batting as well. His peers around the league fancied him quite the switch hitter.

In 1975, Jerry faced one of baseball’s most dreadful blunders, when a moon-rocket-pop-fly soared into the stratosphere and directly toward the beaming sun—eclipsing its golden rays—practically smooching its lustrous face. Obscured in the radiance. Totally limpid. He lost it. Like a cannon, the ball fired back from the sky. Squinting, he probed the entire universe above. Nevertheless, he couldn’t locate the ball. It certainly found him, though. Kissed him right on the lips. Almost immediately thereafter, Jerry’s pearly whites were expelled across the field and covered in blood and dirt. But fear not. In due time, Jerry managed to procure himself a fashionable set of false teeth. But, between that terrible misfortune, and his 30s closing in, Jerry only played a couple more seasons.

Before the 1980 season had commenced, Jerry decided to hang up the ol’ cleats and take an honest stab at adulthood. That same year, leaving the GM Plant too, as he landed a managerial position at Benny’s Car Parts Outlet. It was there that he met and interviewed Lynn Riesenberg. A shining beacon of a woman who virtually took his breath away. And without question, Jerry quickly offered her a position.

Gracefully, Lynn accepted the role and joined Jerry’s team. Destiny began cultivating in the moment. Then, about three years later—despite his George Washington-esque teeth—that same lady, the lovely Lynn Riesenberg, soon became Jerry’s endearing wife. The date was June 4, 1983, when the stars above aligned perfectly, for each of them; finally, and for the first time ever! It was then that the two of them united as one. Two kindred spirits; unwavering; no matter the circumstance; connected for eternity, and perhaps even longer.

Shortly thereafter, on September 19, 1983, their first child was born. The young buck’s name: Jerry Edward. A strapping little man, both inside and out; fervently growing even more Herculean by the day.

Their second child arrived not long after that. January 25,1985. They named him Joe. As in a cup of Joe. Because who doesn’t like coffee, you know? (And if you know anything about java, it can be a little-turd every now and then. And welp, in a nutshell, that best describes Child #2.)

September 13, 1987, the young Shelby family was met with crippling misfortune—quite possibly the most monumental agony they’d ever face. Jack, their third expected son, wasn’t able to pull through the delivery. Devastating everyone in the vicinage. Yet, by the grace of God, this detrimental blow only strengthened their bond and cemented the kin like never before.

Years later, on December 10, 1993, a fireball flew onto the scene. Fueled with humor, strength, and tenderness, he arrived; and luckily healthy as an ox. They named him Alex. But after discovering that he’d be a lifelong ginger, they decided to shorten his name to AJ.

September 8, 1995, their first starling touched down. Her name: Deanna Lynn. An eloquent and vivacious girl with a smile as radiant as the sun. (Legend has it though, there was a brief moment in time they considered naming her Marty, giving them a bootleg version of the legendary Red’s duo of Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall. Unfortunately, though, that never came to fruition.)

Until the bitter end, Moon stood as constant and selfless as any man before him. A staunch champion, whom, through his legacy, will live on forever. He was a beautiful father who valued his family more than anything on earth. He also enjoyed Frank’s hot sauce and watching good ol’ fashioned Western films. And of course watching Duke lose.

Day in and day out, Moon led by example. No matter the circumstance, he wasn’t one to complain. Unflinching he was! Bold and fearless! Always juggling life’s challenges with brilliance and tenacity. A real fighter through and through, dancing through life like Muhammad Ali.

Heart of a lion. Spirit of a schoolboy. A remarkable role model, Moon was a savior to his children. Supporter of dreams, no matter how big or small; nor sensible or outlandish, Moon collaborated with his kids equally and earnestly every single day. An honest advocate, chock-full of enthusiasm every single time. Constant as the crescent in the night. Moon had many faces and wore many hats: husband, father, friend, coach, brother, grandfather, uncle, guardian, veteran—the list goes on and on…

Without a doubt, Jerry Lee Shelby of Jellico, TN influenced many, many people. Probably way more than he would’ve ever believed possible. A titan-of-a-man, who truly had a massive impact on bettering the world around him.

Moon. A living legend. Immortal in the sky. Peace.