Shelton MotorSports

Please exuse us while we rebuild this memorial site to Ryan.

Ryan was born on 17 July 1981 and saddly passed away on 11 June 2000. It was a tragic accident on a hang gliding ramp in Henson's Gap Tennessee. He was riding his bicycle on the ramp, past the red line, when his wheel got stuck in between the boards and he high-sided off the ramp.

All who knew him miss him dearly. He had joined the United States Navy, and was one month away from entering bootcamp when this happened. I am his uncle, and in the United States Navy as I write this. Ryan was always proud of me serving, and I am certain that it is what pursuaded him to join the Navy. As I approach my retirement, I often think of young Ryan, who told me a few times that he wanted to be at my retirement. I had wanted to be at his bootcamp graduation as well.

As the years go by, the pain does not go away when we think about the accident. I am as saddened today as when I was first contacted by his grandparents to tell me the awful news. I also can not forgive the owners of the ramp, the Tennessee Tree Toppers, for their carelessness in safety on and around the ramp. The original memorial page was very adament about this, and I hope to fully restore that page in due time.

To all those whom have contacted me over the past few years about the predecesor to this page, the entire family thanks you for your kindness and prayers. Ryan was a Harlow by birth, but a Shelton by blood. Blood is much thicker than water, we do not forget, and we look forward to the time when we get to see Ryan again, listen to some Pink Floyd tunes with him, and talk about the adventure of life.

Thank you,
Todd Shelton