Jerry Lee Sheldon

Jerry L. Sheldon, 80, Fargo, ND, died Saturday, April 25, 2015 at his home in North Fargo.

Jerry was born August 9, 1934 in Fargo, ND. He attended school at Wheatland where he graduated from high school in 1952. Jerry married the love of his life, Patricia Mae Senn, on December 26, 1954 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Jerry served in the Army for 2 years. Upon leaving the US Army, Jerry attended and graduated from Mayville State University in 1957 with a degree in Natural Science and Physical Education. Jerry was a teacher and coach in Karlstad, Minnesota and Ellendale, North Dakota from 1957-1960. In 1962 he received his master’s degree from the University of South Dakota in Zoology and Botany. In 1962 Jerry taught Biology and coached football and basketball at Fargo Central High School. In 1964, Jerry assumed the role as the first football coach and taught Biology at the newly opened Fargo North High School and remained in that capacity until 1973. In 1973 he continued to teach Biology for North, and also coached football at Moorhead State University until 1975. It was at this time Jerry decided to leave the classroom he loved and accept the position as the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Fargo North. From 1979 to 1984 Jerry was the Principal at Agassiz Junior High School in South Fargo. In 1985 Jerry accepted the role as the Director for Athletics for the Fargo Public Schools and remained in that position until his retirement in 1991.

In Jerry’s 35 years in education he has had a positive impact on the lives of students, staff and our community as a whole. Few people have had the opportunity to view education from as many interesting vantage points as he has. As a teacher/coach, principal, athletic coordinator, Chairman of the United Way Campaign, past President of the Fargo Association of Teacher Education, Chairman of the Faith Methodist Building Committee, member of the North Dakota State University Teacher Education Institute, member of Reed Township Board (5 years), member of National Association of Secondary Principals Committee of Larger Secondary Schools, YMCA Building Fund Committee, member of Friends of Prairie Public Television, member of Faith Methodist Church in North Fargo. Some of his past and present organizations include: National Association of Secondary School Principals, North Dakota Education Association, Fargo Education Association, Association of Teacher Educators, Minnesota Coaches Association, North Dakota Coaches Association, National Coaches Association and Association of Biology Teachers. In 2000 Jerry was proudly inducted into the Fargo North High School Hall of Fame. In 1952 Jerry received recognition as being All Cass County in 5 sports and Ball Room Dancing.

Jerry was a loving and caring father and grandfather to his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; son, Scott (Michelle), Yuma, AZ; Debra (Tom) Hoesley, Fargo, ND; Kathy (Steve) Nelson, Champlin, MN; Jerry (Sally), San Diego, CA; and 9 grandchildren, Kyla Sheldon, Kansas City, KS; Brock Sheldon, Lawrence, KS; Carl Hoesley, Fargo, ND; Tommy Hoesley, Fargo, ND; Mitchel Nelson, Golden Valley, MN, Cole Nelson, Grand Forks, ND; Christopher, San Diego, CA; Lily, San Diego, CA and Nolan, San Diego, CA.