Loren Hugh Shellabarger

Loren Hugh Shellabarger Jr, 79 of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on November 15, 2024.

Loren was born on May 26, 1945 to Loren and Ilene (McNeely) Shellabarger in Brigham City, Utah. Loren grew up in Roy, Utah, attending Roy High School. Loren then graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science degree in Computer Science from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. After graduation, Loren joined the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant and served with distinction as a combat platoon commander in the conflict in Vietnam.

Loren’s military career spanned decades in the USMC, the US Army, and the National Guard. He retired as a Colonel with his last posting as the commander of an armor battalion in the Texas National Guard. In addition to his military service, Loren worked in Information Technology, managing complex and significant healthcare-oriented projects for a variety of companies. Loren traveled internationally sharing his knowledge and expertise with multiple countries as he looked to develop better healthcare systems for everyone. Loren was also a passionate teacher, leading graduate and postgraduate classes in a variety of subjects ranging from political science to computer science.

Loren loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, teaching his children and spoiling his grandchildren. He loved theater and music of all kinds, tried his hand (and succeeded!) at painting and preparing gourmet meals, and worked to learn multiple languages.

He played golf with friends, had a wicked sense of humor that he passed on to his children, and even took up playing the banjo for a time. Through his life, he demonstrated what it meant to learn and live. There was never a question that he would not spend time wrestling with until he had found an answer.

Loren met Virginia (Cissy) Steele while they were both stationed in Hawaii. Loren and Cissy were married on August 31, 1974 and were blessed with three children, twins Jessica and Joanne, and Virginia (Gigi). Loren was also father to Loren III from a previous marriage.

Loren was predeceased by his parents, Loren Sr. and Ilene Shellabarger. He is survived by his spouse, Virginia (Cissy) Shellabarger; his siblings Gary Shellabarger, Max Shellabarger, and Peggy Shellabarger; and his children Jessica (Andrew) Smith, Joanne (Jason) Shumway, Gigi (Jesse) Shellabarger, and Loren (Becky) Shellabarger III.

Funeral Service will be at Downing Funeral Home of Brooksville, Florida on December 27, 2024, at 11:00 am followed by graveside services, including military rites, at Bushnell National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida at 1:00pm.

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