Cary Ezekiel Shell Jr.

Cary Ezekiel Shell, Jr., 87, of Pensacola, Florida passed away Friday, June 7, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born December 21, 1936, in Walnut Hill, Florida to Edna and Cary Shell, Sr. He was the middle of 3 children, with an older brother, Howard, and younger sister, Linda. When he was 21 years old, he met the love of his life, Frances Sharpless. The two married in 1957 and began a 67-year love story. They had 3 lovely daughters, Ann, Lynn, and Jan. Cary worked hard to provide for his family and made sure they knew to make God their priority. He and Frances joined Hillcrest Church in 1959, where he faithfully served as a Deacon and Greeter for over 50 years. Throughout his time at Hillcrest, he cultivated countless friendships that became chosen family. As time went on and his family grew, Cary took on his most prized role as “Paw Paw”. From that point on, you could always find him at a ball field, dance recital, or giving wagon rides to his grandkids with “Maw Maw” right by his side. He carried on this devotion to his 13 (and counting) great grandchildren. Cary was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was kind-hearted and intentional, with a robust sense of humor and propensity for mischief. He leaves behind a legacy that exemplifies a man of faith and family. He is survived by his wife, Frances Shell; daughters, Ann (Robert) Lewis, Lynn (Jon) Vukovich, and Jan (Tony) Claxton; grandchildren, Carter (Jessica) Lewis, Matt (Lisa) Lewis, Jamie (Jonathan) Christian, Jennifer (Michael) Sheppard, Brian (Tiffany) Vukovich, Ashley (Jake) Ray, Janson Cary (Marissa) Thomas, Jace (Macy) Thomas, Vickie Exum, Savannah Patterson-Case, Autumn Patterson-Case; great grandchildren Benjamin, Duncan, Joshua, Lucy, Sarah, Nolan, Taylor, Adam, Allie, William, Grace, Brooks, Miles, and expectant baby Thomas; sister, Linda (Wilber) Tolliver; sisters-in-law, Ann Sharpless, and Ginger (Ronnie) Bryant; as well as numerous extended family and close friends. We express our gratitude to Karla, Ronnie Ray, his buddy, Jimmy, as well as Peoples Home Health/Hospice. Cary was preceded in death by his parents, Cary and Edna Shell, brother and sister-in-law Howard (Nannette) Shell; and brother-in-law, Buddy Sharpless. Pallbearers are Carter Lewis, Janson Thomas, Brian Vukovich, Jon Vukovich, Tony Claxton and Jimmy Palmer. Honorary pallbearers are members of Cary’s Hillcrest Sunday School Class. Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Visitation will be prior to service from 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Walnut Hill, Florida. Officiating will be grandsons, Pastor Jace Thomas and Pastor Matthew Lewis.

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Cary Ezekiel Shell Jr.

December 21, 1936 - June 7, 2024