Shelley Ray Lindsey

Shelley Ray Lindsey, of Niceville, passed away peacefully in his home on October 16, 2023, with his sons and partner, Lynda, by his side. He was born July 20, 1942, in Bonifay, Florida to Joe C. and Alberta Bailey Lindsey, and grew up in DeFuniak Springs. 

After graduating from Walton County High School, Shelley played collegiate basketball at Gulf Coast Community College and Troy State University and graduated from Troy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969. 

Before graduating college, Shelley proudly served in the Alabama Army National Guard, separating in 1967.  After college, he worked in the insurance industry, and eventually retired from State Farm Insurance Company, where he served as an Auto & Home Claims Specialist.  His time at State Farm included several years helping victims of natural disasters first-hand, as part of State Farm’s National Catastrophe Team.

Shelley always enjoyed spending time outside, no matter the activity. He did a lot of fishing & hunting in his younger days. He was a very loving father who was always involved in youth sports, including coaching Little League Baseball and Youth Basketball. Shelley was an avid golfer through most of his adult life. More recently, he took to Motor Coach travel and traveled around the United States and across Canada with his loving companion, Lynda. An ardent sports fan, Shelley hollered loudest for Alabama Crimson Tide Football and Duke Basketball.

Shelley was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Patricia Howell Lindsey, to whom he was married from 1965 until she passed in 2003. He is also preceded by his parents, Joe and Alberta Lindsey; sisters, Nettie Lindsey Akridge, Pauline Lindsey Gilmore, Nadine Lindsey Ellison, Margaret Lindsey Shirah, Nellie Faye Lindsey Wise; and brothers, Joe Marion Lindsey, Roy “RJ” Jones Lindsey.

He is survived by his son, Michael Shane Lindsey, of Dahlonega, GA; son, Jason Eric Lindsey, daughter-in-law, Karen Patricia Lindsey, grandson, Cameron Patrick Lindsey, granddaughter, Kiera Grace Lindsey, all of Oakwood, OH; loving partner of 20 years, Lynda Balkcom Aycock, of Niceville, FL; sister, Ann Lindsey Phelps, and brother-in-law, John Phelps, of Gulf Breeze, FL; sister-in-law, Hazel Roberts Lindsey, of Enterprise, AL; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews. 

There will be a funeral service on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 11:00am at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home, with visitation with family and friends beginning an hour prior. Chaplain Tom Baez will officiate. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Heritage Gardens Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shelley Ray Lindsey, please visit our floral store.