Palestine, Texas - Services for Jack K. Selden, Jr., 96, of Palestine will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11th, at First Presbyterian Church, Palestine with Pastor Jordan Byrd officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home, Palestine.

Mr. Selden died Thursday, June 26th, at home. He was born November 20, 1928, in Palestine to J.K. and Elizabeth Selden. A graduate of Palestine High School, he attended the University of Chicago earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry. Mr. Selden enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 as a 2nd Lieutenant and served as a navigator in the Korean War. During his career, Colonel Selden was second in command of all supply operations in the Vietnam War for a year. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971. Upon returning to Palestine, he served two terms as mayor, 1983-1988. In addition, he served 15 years with the law office of Parsons and Thorn.

An avid historian, he wrote several books on the historic Parker family. He was honored by the Palestine Chamber of Commerce as both Citizen of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Colonel Selden was married 56 years to Gloria McCracken Selden, until her passing in 2008. He married Rhonda Herrington in 2018, a devoted and loving wife.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and J.K. Selden; first wife, Gloria; his daughter, Cynthia Ann; and his brothers, Larry and Don Selden. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Herrington of Palestine; grandchildren, Betsy Herrington and husband James Carmer, Lucinda Stafford and husband Jeremy, Sandy Davis and husband Michael, Shana Hansen and husband Brian; great-grandchildren, Ethan Wheeler, Kylee Wheeler, Chloe Carmer, Ashley Waldon, William Waldon, Lauren Davis, Cole Hansen, and Avery Hansen; nephews Eddie, Rush, and Kevin Selden.