05/04/2026
Ronald Shelby
Ronald (Ronnie) Shelby, 75, of Monroe, LA, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, surrounded by family.
Ronnie was born January 1, 1951, in Pine Bluff, AR, to parents J.E. and Rachel Shelby. He was a proud Neville High School graduate (1969) and earned an accounting degree from Northeast Louisiana University in 1972, later earning his designation as a CPA. After graduating, he began his career in New Orleans with Arthur Anderson, then returned to his birthplace to work for the Fox Flooring Company. In 1976, he returned to Monroe from Pine Bluff with the mother of his three sons, Emily. Former Louisiana Governor James A. Noe was impressed with him during his Arthur Anderson days and recruited Ronnie to come to work for KNOE. This opportunity turned into a 35-year career with the Noe family. His dedication to KNOE and the Noe’s was unwavering, and he cherished the role he played in the Monroe media community.
Ronnie was deeply invested in the Monroe community serving as a long-time board member of the Monroe Youth Baseball Association, a member of the ULM Alumni Association and an active member of the Neville Alumni and Friends Association (NAFA) where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2006. He received several civic awards in the late 1980s and early 1990s. For over 20 years, he proudly served Neville High School as the public address announcer on Friday nights at Bill Ruple Stadium. He also volunteered as a Neville softball coach alongside his late wife, Laurie. Ronnie was enormously proud that all three of his children and six grandchildren graduated from his beloved alma mater, Neville High School. Ronnie helped coach numerous youth teams over the years, including his son’s summer baseball teams and one of his granddaughters’ softball teams for many years with his son, Scott. In 2003, he joined his son Stewart and helped lead Monroe to a championship in the Dixie Majors World Series.
Ronnie’s passion for sports was no secret. He never missed a game at Bill Ruple Stadium and always loved a trip to New Orleans when his beloved Neville Tigers would play for a state championship. He was an ardent supporter of NLU/ULM and loved Tailgating in the Grove for football, right field for baseball and out in left field for softball.
Later in life, he took a trip to Omaha with lifelong friends for the Men’s College World Series. On that trip, he met a special lady from Texas named Laurie, and they married soon after. After this trip he would call Omaha his favorite place and returned for many years with so many friends and family, creating countless lasting memories. Ronnie became the unofficial ambassador to the CWS. He was the first call anyone would make when planning a trip to see their favorite team play in Omaha.
Anyone who met Ronnie would agree he had a larger-than-life personality. He thoroughly enjoyed debating anyone on any topic at any time. He was also committed to always helping others, regardless of the need or circumstance. His outgoing personality made a lasting impact on everyone he met. The way in which he lived his life and interacted with others reflected a spirited life while creating so many lasting memories for all who crossed paths with him. He loved boasting about the exploits of his grandchildren, whether it was on the field or off. He loved celebrating all their accomplishments.
We know that Ronnie has reconnected in Heaven with a host of characters who have already passed on and they’re most likely arguing about baseball rules or planning a trip to an unlimited number of sporting events. He will definitely save you a seat when the time comes to join him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.E. and Rachel Shelby, and his wife, Laurie Shelby. Survivors include sons Stewart Shelby (Rachel), children Mason and Davis Shelby; Will Shelby (Megan,) children Ryleigh and Madison Shelby; and Scott Shelby (Brienne), children Amanda and Abbey Shelby; stepchildren Bart Hall (Tara) and Lindsey Gross (Darrel); sister Sandra Cloud (Randy); nephews Chris, Craig, Mark, and Michael Cloud.
Visitation will be May 7, 2026, from 12:00–2:00 p.m., with memorial service following at 2:00 p.m. at Mulhearn Funeral Home on Highway 165 N, Monroe, LA, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.
Serving as honorary pallbearers: Mason Shelby, Davis Shelby, Chris Cloud, Craig Cloud, Mark Cloud, Michael Cloud, Jeff Tannehill, and the TBJ’s lunch crew (Rick and Curtis Sain, Camile Currier, Mark Holyfield, Bobby Smith, Bill Bateman, Wade Wyatt, Glen Gipson, and Lindsey Leavitt).
The family extends special appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph’s Assisted Living (especially Dee) and St. Joseph’s Hospice (Nici Hanks) for the compassionate care Ronnie received in his final months and caregivers Debra and Alicia during his final days at home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NAFA, Neville Softball, or a charity of your choice in his honor.
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