Renowned car dealer, Joe Shelton, dies at 76
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His name was synonymous with auto dealerships in Warren County for four decades. Shelton began his business career in 1955 when he started Shelton Motor Company on Sparta Street. His early days in the business saw a dealership which sold Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick and GMC products. He would later buy a Chevy and Cadillac dealership in 1984 and consolidate the two in 1988 to become the first dealer in the country to offer all the General Motors lines on one single lot.
Prior to beginning his automotive career, Shelton was in business with his father in Manchester, where they sold the Studebaker line of automobiles from 1947-55. Before entering the business with his father, Shelton served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Okinawa in 1944.
While building a successful car dealership, he was also important in the business development of McMinnville during the 1970s and 1980s. Shelton was instrumental in building and developing Three Star Mall. He was also in a partnership which saw the development of Northgate Plaza. Shelton also had investments elsewhere as he was partners in a venture which placed Holiday Inns from Manchester to Chattanooga beginning in 1964.
Along with his private business ventures, Shelton also served on the board of directors of City Bank and Trust Company and McMinnville Country Club. His local organization affiliation included membership with McMinnville Evening Exchange and the Jaycees. Along the way, he also was a member of the University of Tennessee Space Institute Council in Tullahoma. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scout Council and First Baptist Church.
Services for Mr. Shelton will be held at 4 p.m. today at First Baptist Church.