Officials to name shelter in honor of Terry Shelby

The Corbin man who lost his life after a 100-foot fall from the Kentucky Hill water tower in 1979 will be memorialized next Thursday when a picnic shelter on Wilson Street is named in his honor.
Terry Shelby was 32-years old when he plummeted from atop the tower while replacing bulbs on a large ornamental star placed there during the holidays. A safety rope tied to a steel pole supporting the star apparently snapped at its base due to corrosion, causing the accident. The mishap occurred on Nov. 26.
“He was a very, very well-liked and compassionate person,” Corbin Mayor Amos Miller said, remembering Shelby. “The whole community liked him. He was a close personal friend of mine and he was probably the most giving person I’ve ever known.”
Shelby served for 10 years as a city police officer, from 1967 to 1977, and even helped train current Police Chief Carson Mullins. He also worked at U.S. Steel as a locomotive operator.
Shelby was elected to serve on the Corbin City Commission just before his death, but never got to take office. He was the most popular choice among city voters that year, garnering 1,437 votes and would have been Mayor Pro Temp had he taken office in January 1980.
Deputy City Collector Roberta Webb, who planned next Thursday’s ceremony along with City Clerk Erin Blount and City Collector Dorotha Weber, said a star will be placed atop the shelter house to remember Shelby. A special silver-finish plaque bearing an engraved picture of Shelby will be set in the ground near the shelter.
“We’ve talked about this for years. We’ve always said someone who gave their life trying to make Christmas a little better for everyone else deserves to be remembered,” Webb said. “We always thought it was just somehow overlooked. Everyone you talk to remembers him and knows about it, but no one had done anything to honor his memory. We just finally followed through. I think everyone agrees he deserves this.”
Miller said workers with the City Utilities Commission now take care of the star that is still placed atop the tower.
“We needed to do this,” Miller said. “This is someone who gave his life in service to his community. It’s overdue.”
Miller said he coached Shelby in Little League football and called him a “very active and vital member of the community.” He said he was also a member of the local Optimist Club.
The shelter to be named in Shelby’s honor is located next to the Larry Stevens Memorial Playground, near Rotary Park. The dedication will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Miller will give the opening remarks at the ceremony. Sean Disney will provide music and Rev. Bobby Joe Eaton will offer the prayer. Corbin Recreation Director Marlon Sams and Miller will officially dedicate the plaque and star in Shelby’s honor.
Shelby was survived in death by his wife and four children. His father, Bob Shelby, is still a resident of Corbin.