John D. Selby, Sr.

John Douglas Selby, Sr. passed away in his sleep on July 15, 2018, at the age of 96. John was born on October 12, 1921, in Odebolt, Iowa to John Hanna Selby and Della Anna Nelson. Odebolt, a town rich with Selby history, would be his home growing up.

A good work ethic and trustworthiness were two characteristics instilled in him by his parents. He began working at the tender age of nine. He saved all his earnings, except for the $6 he spent on his first car, a 1913 Model T. A few favorite jobs were his paper route with his dog Mike, an Irish setter, catching gophers and looking after his little brother Laurie (Laurence).

John’s parents always encouraged him to go to college. Losing his father at the age of 19 almost prevented that from happening, but through hard work and perseverance John enrolled at Iowa State University majoring in engineering. John’s college education would be interrupted with the onslaught of WWII. John enlisted in the US Navy.

Training received at Iowa State would prepare him for the Navy Pilot he would become. During his time with the Navy he would meet the love of his life, a Wave named Marion Elizabeth Harrison. One year after their meeting on October 23, 1944, they would be bound together at The Little Church around the Corner in New York City.

As the end of the war approached, Lieutenant John Selby and his bride would return to Iowa. John would complete his final year at Iowa State and celebrate the birth of his first born, a daughter named Elizabeth Anne.

Upon graduating, John & Marion would leave Iowa and become East Coast bound. This move would bless them with two sons, John Jr. and Michael, and a daughter, Marcia, in addition to a 26 year career with General Electric. His work in nuclear power and subs would grant him the honor of working side by side with Admiral Rickover.

To escape the pressures of his job, he and his family spent time at his favorite get away, Raquette Lake, New York. He loved that it is isolated, the fishing was good and the public hadn’t discovered it yet.

John would continue his education at Harvard. A scholarship program set up by him would be his thank you.

His success with GE would groom him for a position with Consumers Power of Michigan. He would become the President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, and his family would relocate to Jackson, Michigan.

At the age of 63, John would retire to Fort Meyers, Florida. He and his wife, Marion would spend this time traveling the world, enjoying friends in the Supper Club and time spent with their children and grandchildren. As the years progressed, they would move again to Wilmington, North Carolina.

In October of 2010, heath issues would take his beloved Marion home to God. John would then return to his home state of Iowa. There he remained until he joined her in the loving care of Senior Suites of Urbandale.

John and Marion’s generosity has helped many, and will for years to come. The Odebolt Library, which houses the John & Marion Selby Reading Room, is just one of many contributions made.

John loved classical music, the Detroit Tigers, and Iowa State Cyclones. His favorite sport was golf. He said with golf you can’t blame anyone else for your poor play.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; parents, John and Della; brother, Laurence; grandparents, Seymour and Sadie Selby and Lauritz and Rhine Nelson; and aunt, Nora Nelson. He leaves behind to mourn his passing his children, Liz (Tom) Beckingham, Marcia Ozol, John Jr. (Sandy) Selby, and Michael (Ronnie) Selby; grandchildren, Wayne (Danielle) Beckingham, John III (Hanna) Selby, Dennis (Kristina) Selby, and Tim Selby; and great grandchildren.

John will be laid to rest next to his wife, Marion in Odebolt, Iowa. He will reside in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, he will be greatly missed. He is now home.

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