News-Press -- With a twinkle in his eye and a prank up his sleeve, Jimmy Lee Shelton endeared himself to nearly all he met.

"My classes always teased me about hating cats," said April Holt, 27, who taught Shelton at Gunnery Road Christian Academy in 1999. "One day, at Christmas time, he caught a stray cat, put it in a box and wrapped it up, leaving holes for the cat to breathe. He got a total laugh out of it."

Holt said she remembers the last time she saw Shelton when he came to church for Sunday services in September before he shipped out with the U.S. Army to go to Iraq.

Shelton, 21, died Saturday after his camp was struck by five rounds of mortar fire. Eighteen other soldiers were injured, but only Shelton was killed.

Those who knew and loved Shelton were stunned by his death, but took comfort in the fact he was a devout Christian and they believed him safe with God.

Still, his mother, Billi Jo Shelton, has struggled accepting the fact she will never hold her youngest son again. Shelton, one of two children, is survived by an older brother, Burgess Shelton Jr., 23, and his parents, Billi Jo and Burgess Shelton Sr.

"I want to tell him everything that's happening," said 38-year-old Billi Jo Shelton, sobbing. "I want to share it with him. Who am I going to talk to now?"

"But, we still have him with us," said Burgess Shelton, 40. "We have him in our hearts."

Just days before he was killed, Billi Jo Shelton had talked to her son on the telephone. She told him about the Christmas package she had mailed, containing a DVD player, a stocking and the family joke, two matchbox cars.

Since learning of his death, the Shelton family has asked the military to give the gift package to another soldier who might not receive anything for Christmas.

They also learned that their son had been busy shopping online for presents and expect to receive gifts from him during the next few weeks.

Family members said people from the community have been supportive and have given them comfort.

They were especially pleased to learn that officials from the Florida Highway Patrol are trying to award Shelton the title of honorary trooper posthumously.

Growing up, Shelton wanted to work in law enforcement and joined the Army to make himself more marketable. Family members said he wanted to be a state trooper.

Florida Highway Patrol Cpl. John T. Schultz III said he was touched by Shelton's story because he, too, had considered joining the military to try to parlay that experience into a career with law enforcement but received a job offer before he enlisted.

"It touched me a bit," Schultz said. "Maybe we can do something for the family. It just touched me."

Schultz said troopers are also planning to be at Shelton's funeral, which will take place locally sometime during the next week or so.

Family members said Shelton's body was expected to arrive in Dover, Del., late Tuesday evening, where it will remain for about two days before being flown to Florida.

Family members plan a local ceremony and then Shelton's body will be flown to Virginia for burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

No further details on funeral arrangements were available Tuesday.

"His death has affected so many people," said Shelton's maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mahlbacher, 64. "I'd rather have him here, though."

Mahlbacher said one thing that made her grandson remarkable was his respect and affection for senior citizens.

"He looked older people in the eye and loved them," she said. "He had a kind word and a hug for the older ladies at church. That's what amazed me."

Shelton seldom missed church services when he was home.

"Jimmy was at my wedding in 2000," Holt said. "I also taught him how to type on the computer. He grew up here at the church. It was a total shock to me at first. I was thinking, no, not Jimmy, but God wanted him home for a reason, and now he's with the Lord."

Former teacher Jane Bancroft, 50, had Shelton in class during his senior year and still has a poster he made during her health class.

"I kept the poster he made on what to do if someone faints," she said. "He signed it Dr. Jimmy Shelton. He always had a smile and was a little mischievous. He was the only guy in the class, and there was always good-natured kidding on who could get the highest grade."

At Gunnery Road Christian Academy, students and teachers alike prayed daily for Shelton's safety in Iraq until they were told of his death. While they were saddened by the news, it also brought home lessons about mortality and faith, officials said.

Math and science teacher John Vance, 24, grew up with Shelton at the school.

"He was a good kid," Vance said. "No matter what you asked, he turned it into a joke. But, as he grew up, he turned into a good young man. He was still funny, but he understood what he was doing. He was a man and he loved his country."