Judge Wayne Shelton, Tennessee’s longest sitting judge, celebrates retirement | PHOTOS
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CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – More than 100 family, friends, co-workers, and community well- wishers came out Wednesday evening at Edward’s Steakhouse to celebrate the Honorable Judge C. Wayne Shelton as he hangs up his gavel for retirement on June 30.
Judge Shelton has served 43 years, with his entire time on the bench in Montgomery County. He is the longest sitting judge on any court in Tennessee. Shelton was appointed General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge by then Governor Lamar Alexander, on July 1, 1979.
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville-Montgomery County Judges pose at the Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
The Roxy Regional Theatre marquee for the Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Guests waiting to enter the Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
A cake at the Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Retirement Reception for the Honorable Wayne Shelton, General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II after 43 years of service in Montgomery County, on June 22, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Wednesday evening, Judge Shelton was presented a joint resolution by Tennessee State Representative Curtis Johnson from Tennessee House and Senate lawmakers for his service and accomplishments to the state of Tennessee.
Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Mark Green, Sam Nienow, presented Shelton with a proclamation from the U.S. House of Representative for his service and dedication as a judge in Tennessee
In 1988, Shelton received the Elizabeth McCain Award, which is awarded annually to a Juvenile Court Judge who has distinguished himself as a judge in the state of Tennessee. In 2019 Shelton was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
