Gary Allen Shell
Gary Allen Shell, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 27, 2026 in Raleigh, NC.
Gary was born on January 7, 1943 to the late Sterling Bowman Shell and Mary Armentrout Shell in Harrisonburg, VA. He graduated from Broadway High School in 1961. He earned his bachelor degree in History from Bridgewater College in 1965. He later received his Masters degree in Administration from James Madison University. Upon graduation from Bridgewater, he taught fifth grade at Elkton Elementary for 6 years. In 1971, he went to serve as principal of Grottoes Elementary where he remained until the school merged with Port Republic Elementary in 1994 to form South River Elementary School.
After retirement in 1999 from Rockingham County Public Schools, he enjoyed spending precious time with his family, traveling with his wife, Karen, and serving others through mission activities at his church. Gary had a love for US history and especially the pre 1840 Mountain Man period. He enjoyed attending Primitive Rendezvous especially the Ole Virginia Primitive. His teepee, buffalo robe, and leather creations by his friend, Gary Brett, were special to him. He would share his knowledge with anyone he met.
Gary was a lifelong member of Fellowship Methodist Church in Rockingham, VA until he and his wife Karen moved to Raleigh in 2016. They are members of Soapstone United Methodist Church in Raleigh, NC.
Gary is survived his loving wife, Karen Page Shell of Raleigh; his loving and devoted daughter, Annie(Troy) Huskins; step children Laura (Josh)Staab, James (Erin) Harris; beloved grandchildren Josey (Shayna) Pangle, Lottie Staab, Leon Harris, Luke Staab, Arthur Harris: beloved great grandsons, Colter Pangle, Odie Pangle; mother-in-law Nanette Page; sister-in-law Amy(Mike) George; two special cousins, Sherry Leffel and Mary Ellen Armentrout and many special family and friends too numerous to list.
A graveside service will be held at Fellowship Church, 696 Fellowship Road Rockingham, Virginia, on October 11, 2026 at 2 pm, with a celebration of life gathering afterward at the Fellowship Social Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made to Soapstone United Methodist Church, Fellowship Methodist Church, South River Elementary, or Transitions Life Care.