Shelby Perkins

Hello all. My name is Jeff Geldhof and I am the son-in-law of Shelby Perkins.

Father, brother, son, Sensi, friend, mentor, husband…Shelby Perkins was someone to everyone. He was a second father to me, as he was to many. As many of you are already aware, Shelby lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on 12/13/2023. Shelby fought like a lion, surpassing his expected life expectancy by many months.

Like many blue collar workers, Shelby worked long hours only to come home and work more hours for the sake of his family. And whenever that family needed help, he was one of the first to give up his time. Shelby was a man of honor, virtue, and integrity. He lived these values every day of his life. Shelby was one of the strongest men I have ever met. He was a true example of what it means to be a husband, father, and friend. Anyone who knew Shelby knew that they could count on him in their time of need. No matter the distance, time, or place. This is a rare quality in today's world.

Like Shelby, my mother-in-law, Kelly, is a hard-working woman who has made many sacrifices for her family. Kelly returned to college nearly forty-years after high school and became a nurse. For much of Shelby’s illness, Kelly would go to work, caring for others, while also caring for Shelby.

As one might expect, as Shelby’s condition deteriorated, he was spending weeks and sometimes even months in the hospital. Kelly was by his side throughout these months, and could not work. At the same time, they were incurring significant hospital bills. Both Kelly and Shelby spent many hours together, trying to find solutions to his failing health. Visit after visit. Struggle after struggle. Fighting until the very end, Shelby finally passed on to the final season of life. In the midst of Kelly’s sorrow, many medical bills have stacked up. Anyone who has fought cancer will have some idea just high those bills are. Speaking on behalf of Kelly’s family, I am humbly asking for any donations to help ease the burden on her during this difficult time.

Thank you.