Lloyd Shelhamer, Jr.
Lloyd Shelhamer, Jr., rancher and entrepreneur died October
20, 2010, in Billings, MT at age 87. Lloyd was born October
19, 1923 in Livingston, MT to Mary Uhl Shelhamer and Lloyd
Shelhamer, Sr. He was the youngest of 3 children. He spent
his early years on his family ranches near Wilsall. At a
young age, he joined in his family’s business of breaking
horses to sell to the cavalry. As a little boy he received
his first pair of cowboy boots and was so excited he slept
in them. From that time on, he was always seen wearing his
cowboy boots and usually his cowboy hat too.
He graduated from Bozeman High in 1941 where he played
basketball and football. After attending MSU briefly, he
enlisted in the Army during WWII. He advanced to Officer
Candidate School and became a pilot. He flew B17 bombers
during WWII as part of the 8th Air Force. During WWII, he
married Colleen Hart, but divorced a few years later.
He married Jane Ringling Shelhamer in 1950. Family was all
important to Lloyd and he concentrated his efforts to
providing for and raising his six children: Renee, Sharon,
Shelley, Susan, John and Linda. Once he had six children, he
decided it was time to give up rodeoing which he enjoyed
with his uncle, Bob Shelhamer. He had ridden saddle broncs
and steer wrestled.
Along with his dad, he raised race horses. In 1954, Jane and
Lloyd built the Beaumont Racetrack and Night Club in
Belgrade which they ran through 1964. They introduced horse
racing to many family and friends who went on to make racing
a career. Jane died in 1988.
In 1957, they founded United Tote Company which provided
betting equipment to other racetracks in Montana and nearby
states. After developing a computerized system in 1979,
United Tote grew rapidly to a major international supplier
with more than 130 customers. Feature articles were written
in Forbes, Inc., Bloodhorse and other magazines. In 1994
United Tote began servicing Churchhill Downs in Kentucky.
The Shelhamers sold United Tote in 1994 and retired from the
company in 1995.
Lloyd also managed racetracks throughout these years and
particularly enjoyed operating Sunland
Park, near El Paso, TX. Lloyd was a director of the
Thoroughbred Racing Association and received a lifetime
achievement award from the Quarter Horse Racing Association
in 1995.
In 1961, Lloyd purchased Cabin Creek Ranch northeast of
Shepherd and continued to add to it over the years. He loved
the cattle business and expanded farming on the ranch. Until
two weeks ago, he still came to the ranch to appreciate the
crops and the commercial Angus cattle.
Lloyd married Claudia Christensen Shelhamer in 1989. They
both loved the racetracks and Claudia, a gifted artist, did
the interior design on Sunland Park and other racetracks
Lloyd managed. They traveled to Asia, Australia, Hawaii,
Europe, Russia, and South America. For several years, they
lived in El Paso until he developed NPH (normal pressure
hydrocephalus) in 1997. He accepted this dreaded loss with grace and a sense
of humor. This slowly progressing disease eventually robbed
him of most of his short-term memory, but his smile,
handshake, wink, social skills and love for family remained.
Claudia took excellent care of Lloyd and he enjoyed a very
good quality of life due to her efforts.
Lloyd was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Lloyd
Shelhamer; wife, Jane Shelhamer; and sister, Mayda Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia Shelhamer and his
sister, Elinor Amundson. He is also survived by his children
Renee Homme, Billings; Sharon Richey, Billings; Shelley
Schwab, Billings; Susan Shelhamer, Billings; John (Karen)Shelhamer,
Billings; Linda Shelhamer (Stephen Haraden); Billings, and
Chris Holloway (Dave), Post Falls, ID. He is survived by his
grandchildren Michael Homme, Marc Homme, Jeff Richey, Eric
Richey, Lora Greer, Tom Schwab Jr., Ty Schwab, Shiloh
Seymour, Sarah Christensen, Dan Shelhamer, Jamie Shelhamer,
Sam Shelhamer, Megan Shelhamer, Matt Shelhamer, Ivory
Miller, Meadow Nilles, Breeze Plumb and Birch Haraden and 33
great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to American Legion Post 4, 1540 Broadwater Avenue, Billings, MT 59102 or Riverstone Health Hospice at PO Box 1562, Billings, MT 59103 or the charity of your choice.
Visitation is available 12 noon to 8pm Sunday and Monday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary 1001 Alderson Avenue Billings, MT 59102. Funeral services and reception will be held Tuesday October 26 at 10 a.m. at the Elks Club, 934 Lewis Avenue Billings, MT 59102. Internment with military honors will be at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I had the
pleasure of working for, and with Lloyd for most of the 14 years I was
with United Tote. Lloyd was an outstanding person, I loved the early
years with Tote when we would stay at the ranch. We would help with
hauling feed corn from the fields and even take out the power to one of
the weigh stations on the ranch, Lloyd just said well we needed to bury
that power line anyway. Then it was on to vaccinating cattle, I would
never had made a career out ranching but enjoyed the distraction. I have
a great deal of respect for Lloyd and his family, They always treated me
like I was part of the family. Even though I have not seen Lloyd or his
family for a long time, he will be greatly missed.
PS. Just thought John should know, from time to time I still drink beer
while standing on my head. Thanks for that life lesson.
Bert Mace
Powell, Wyoming
Thinking about you, just read Lloyd's
obituary in the billings gazette. Brought back a lot of memories.
Hope you are doing well.
I still am living in Sidney
Love. Ruth (Brosten) Pederson
It is with deep and profound sadness that
I read about Lloyd's passing
in Saturday's Missoulian. Lloyd was a a true gentleman, and a
teacher
and friend. And, to me and others like Dale Mahlum, he was the
Godfather
of Montana parimutuel racing.
I first met Lloyd in the early 1970s when I was sports editor of
the
Missoulian newspaper, and covered the August horse races at the
Western
Montana Fair. Lloyd became my mentor and I learned much about
the sport
from him. If he didn't know something, he would steer me to some
who did.
At one point during our relationship, in the late 1970s after I
had
moved to the features desk of the paper, but continued to write
about
horse racing, Lloyd offered me a job with United Tote. Although
I
remained with the paper, there were times I wish I had accepted
his
offer. I also owned common stock in United Tote at one time.
Because of my writing about horse racing in Montana, and some of
my
satires and parodies about racing and the rail birds who wagered
at the
tracks, Lloyd and his colleagues presented me with a silver tray
at the
1985 Western Montana Fair for my "contributions" to the sport.
They were
miniscule compared to Lloyd's. Lloyd was the one who stoked my
passion
and interest in racing.
Perhaps it's only fitting that I started reading William Nack's
biography of Secretariat this week. I'd like to think Lloyd had
something to with that.
In passing, while spending an outing at Arapahoe Park's track
outside of
Denver a few years ago, I visited the with the racing secretary.
He knew
Lloyd and was well aware of Lloyd's many accomplishments, and
shared a
few things about Lloyd that I did not know. He also credited
Lloyd with
helping keep racing alive at that track.
Lloyd was a champion and treasure - truly one of a kind. I'll
always
revere him.
Sincerely,
Jeff Herman
Dear John, Linda and the rest of the
Shelhamer family,
I worked for United Tote in the 1980's and have more memories
then I can count of both Lloyd and Jane carting me around to
numerous small tracks in Montana and South Dakota to this county
fair or that one. Lloyd always had wonderful stories to tell and
I enjoyed working with him. He was a great man. You and your
family are in my thoughts any prayers.
Shelley Killen
Bismarck North Dakota
Bill and I met Lloyd and Jane during
their time at Belgrade building
the race track and the Beaumont night club. We enjoyed many
years of
friendship as Lloyd's life and family evolved. Rodeos and Racing
always worked side by side at the many fairs across the country
where
we would work and share many friendships. Even when Lloyd
developed
the Canadian market , our son Roger (while attending Laval
University)
joined him at the trotting track in Quebec City to develop the
paramutual system to payout in French and English. Our
friendship has
lasted throughout the years, even in retirement. We always
enjoyed a
visit with Lloyd and recalling the memories which we all so
dearly
cherished. Another era is gone and will be missed.
Bill & Ramona Holt, Lolo, Montana
Linda Haraden - this is from Dave
Vaughan, your housemate from East Missoula many, many years ago.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your father. I lost my
parents long ago but I still identify with the pain and sorrow
of the loss and my thoughts are with you.
Seeing your name again brought back memories of East Missoula
and our other housemates in the crazy mattress factory building.
I have tried to find you a few times but without your married
name I was not able to. I am in Bozeman but moving to Arkansas
in less than a week. I would love to hear from you and catch up.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and please know that
you are in my thoughts in this difficult time.
Dave
Granddad, a man bigger than life to us all.
Marc
Have many great memories of working with
Lloyd, Jane, Claudia, Linda, John, and the whole United Tote family
back in the 80s. My parents and Shelhamer clan were part of great
fun group of gypsies that traveled the fair/horse racing/rodeo
circuit since the 50s. It was an adventure to be a kid around these
folks traveling around from place to place. Lloyd and my folks
schemed to get me to work for United Tote when it had expanded in to
Canada and I just happened to be in Quebec City when they were
installing their first bilingual system. Ten more years of
adventures followed from tracks throughout California to Barcelona
and back to the ranch in Shepherd. My favorite/funny memory of Lloyd
was when I caught him rooting under the stairs at the ranch house.
We had stored the liquor for open houses and he had sniffed out his
"Dewars" and was embarrassed to be caught like a kid with his hand
in the cookie jar. We had a great laugh then a drink once I saw what
he was up to.
We will raise a couple in your honor, my friend. Thank you for
giving all of us kids such a tremendous experience and preparing us
to do other good things in life.
Roger Holt
Dear John and Linda;
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.
Although I never had the honor and pleasure of meeting your father,
I understand from my associates and friends in Montana that he was a
very dynamic and well respected gentleman. I know that he will be
greatly missed by you and all of the members of your family.
Jim
Dear Claudia & Family,
I was saddened to hear of Lloyd’s passing. While I only had the
pleasure of meeting both of you once, my husband Dr. Skip Score
spoke of you with the highest regard, especially his memories of the
horse racing days. Skip died on July 30th of the this year from
Alzheimer’s. My heart breaks for all of you and you will be in my
prayers.
Rhonda Strainer Score
Claudia, Linda, John and all other members of
the Shelhamer family,
I was stunned to read Lloyd's obituary. Although it has been 30
years since we worked together, Lloyd has always remained one of my
most "unforgettable" acquaintances. We had many interesting and
challenging times - Helena, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, Coeur d'Alene,
Pompano Beach to name just a few. One of the last times I remember
being with Lloyd was a day or two after the Mt. Saint Helens volcano
blew in 1980. Lloyd was here in Great Falls and we drove around a
very darkened and ashy Great Falls in my beat-up 1953 pickup trying,
without success, to find a place that was open to have dinner.
I have never met a person with as much drive and energy. He always
remained focused on the task at hand whatever that might be. He
never backed down from a challenge. I will always remember the way
Lloyd, Linda and John worked together as a team ramping up United
Tote. My wife and I still talk about Jane and Lloyd's home at Cabin
Creek Ranch.
He was an icon that will be sorely missed and never replaced.
Warren C. Wenz
Hi to the Shelhamer family from Dr. Skip
Score’s family. We have such wonderful memories of the early
horseracing days, United Tote days and hunting on the ranch. We lost
our Dad on July 30 2010 to Alzheimer’s disease. Your never prepared
but we all have our time. Lloyd had a good life, lived the way he
wanted to live and loved his family. That makes him a successful man
above and beyond all of his accomplishments. Love to you all in your
time of sorrow… be at peace now, he is.
Roxy Score Register
Hi John, Claudia, Linda and family;
We just returned from Europe, and were sorry to hear of Lloyds
passing. Would have loved to come to the Funeral, but couldn't make
it. I have many fond memories of working with Lloyd and the tote
from the early days at the Beaumont, and for more than 20 years on.
I especially remember some of the late night drives from some of the
tracks back to the ranch with Lloyd. He would hand me the keys and
promptly fall asleep in the back seat. He always treated me like one
of the family. I remember the nights at some of the tracks Lloyd
would wait till I arrived, then we would go out to the track and
check out the equipment, then he could sleep easy. I'll always
remember the fun and interesting times that I had working with
Lloyd, Jane, and all the crew of United Tote.
Skip Border, still in Belgrade
Join me in raising a glass to Lloyd, a man
who had a vision and lived that dream with much integrity. I first
met him in the early 80s as he was partnering up with the Wrights in
Canada at Assiniboia Downs under the name SHW Totalizer and later
United Tote Canada, Inc. When he shook my hand and welcomed me to
the company I knew that I would be treated with respect and dignity.
I didn't know him as well as I would have liked, as I had more
contact with John and Linda over those years that the Shelhamers
owned UTC. It was sold in the 90s and was never the same after, it
lost that special family feeling, that intimacy of knowing that you
and what you contributed to make the company great had lost its
intrinsic value. It became a very small cog in a huge wheel and
never regained that intimate quality again, although the people that
had been around from the onset really tried. But let the main focus
be on what he accomplished in his lifetime.
Salute.
Our condolences to the Shelhamer Family.
Regards,
Bill and Janet Sydor - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
John and Susan
I didn’t know Lloyd very well and believe I only met him once or
twice when you took me to the ranch, but am sorry to hear of his
passing. He left quite a legacy in the horse, racing and of course
the Tote business. John you and I talked many years ago when you
were just getting evolved in Tote and was glad to hear it became
such a successful business. I travel to Billing every so often and
would be good if we could visit over a cup of coffee and catch of on
the years.
Best Regards
Tom D. Burns
Livingston, Mt.