Shelby Sutherland King

Shelby Sutherland King, died peacefully at his home in Katy Texas, on Sunday, the 3rd of March 2024, at the age of 97. He was a longtime resident of Gonzales, TX. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 30 years, Alice Goebel King, his parents, Laura Mae Sutherland King, and Noel Chester King, his brother Noel Chester King Jr., and his son Shelby Eugene King.

Shelby is survived by his children, Marsha L. Stilley; Honorable Tracy O. King, State Representative (Cheryl), Kreg A. King, Mike A. Almaguer (Kimberly), Randy L. Almaguer (Debbie), David R. Almaguer (Jill) and Jackie A. Humphrey (Scott). He is also survived by grandchildren Shauna King, Whitney King, Aaron (Renee) King, Dr. Katelyn King, DVM, Clayton King, Reverand Austin (Alison) Almaguer, Ryan (Kendall) Almaguer, Chase (Marcela) Almaguer, Jakob Humphrey and Jaron Humphrey and great grandchildren Wyatt Thompson, Brayden King, Madelyn King, Emma King, Payson King, Zora Almaguer, Max Monti and Eiza Almaguer.

Born in Uvalde, Shelby attended Cleveland High School, graduated as a member of the Corps of Cadets from Texas A&M University in 1947 with a BS in animal husbandry and received his master’s in education counseling from Sul Ross State University.

Shelby entered the U. S. Army on December 7, 1950, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant on November 21, 1952. His last assignment was with the 53rd Quartermaster Depot, based in Idar-Oberstein Germany during the Korean War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal with the Germany bar.

Shelby’s civilian career incorporated such diverse jobs as a schoolteacher in Yancey, TX, hog farm manager in Crosby, TX, Purina feed salesman, teacher of math and science in several Texas schools, taxi driver in Houston, TX, dump truck driver, and Head Counselor at Eagle Pass High School, but his passion lay in ranching.

Shelby was one of the last true cowboys and raising Texas longhorns gave him great pride. He loved cattle ranching, and he loved his horses, especially his Colonial Spanish Mustangs. He ranched in Asherton, Texas, Bunkie, Louisiana and Gonzales, Texas. Shelby loved science and continually looked for better ways to raise livestock and be a good steward of the land he loved.

Shelby and his late wife Alice were founding members of the Cattlemen’s Texas Longhorn Registry whose charter was to conserve the “original” type of Texas Longhorn. They also founded the Cattleman’s Texas Longhorn Conservancy which is dedicated to preserving the original Texas Longhorn which is now on the Livestock Conservancy’s List of 150 Critically Endangered Heritage Breeds.

On Friday, the 8th of March, the family will greet friends at a viewing from noon – 2 P.M. with a service to follow at 2 pm in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul Street, Gonzales, Texas, 78629. Internment will immediately follow at St. Ann Catholic Church Cemetery, 4162 State Hwy 111 W., in Hochheim, TX. Pallbearers: Aaron King, Clayton King, Austin Almaguer, Chase Almaguer, Jakob Humphrey, Jaron Humphrey, Bruce Greenberg and Sean Greenberg.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his honor to Cattleman’s Texas Longhorn Conservancy “501c,” P. O. Box 36, Tarpley, Texas 78883. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com .

Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.