Eddie Wayne Shell 1930-2021 Eddie Wayne Shell, age 90 of Auburn, Ala., died May 14 of complications following a stroke. He is survived by his lovely wife of 67 years, Jean Brown Shell; sons Ben, Dan and his wife Mary who's the daughter the Shells never had; grandchildren, Mason Wayne Shell and wife Rachel, James Daniel Shell and Sara Jean Shell, and treasured family friend Annie Ruth Epps. Wayne Shell was one of two exceptional sons born to C.V. and Nita Pearl Bass Shell of East Chapman, Ala. (brother Alton was highly successful nationally recognized high school football coach) and both touched thousands with their grace, compassion and integrity. A piney woods farm boy who grew up loving the outdoors, dogs and cats and other animals, Wayne Shell found his love of fish and fisheries in a small farm pond in the tiny Brushy Creek community just east of his home. A local kid noted for his smarts and hard work, he had a summer job with W.T. Smith Lumber helping mark and cruise timber after graduating Georgiana High School in 1948. He initially planned to major in forestry at Auburn, but soon switched to fisheries. This led one local farmer to remark to his parents that he thought Wayne already knew how to fish before he went to college—and it also landed him on the green chain in the bowels of the sawmill in the summer instead of in the woods marking timber. Wayne Shell earned a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture from Auburn University in 1952 and a Master's degree in the same discipline two years later. A veteran, Shell served with a medical unit in Germany, then returned and earned a Phd in fisheries biology from Cornell University. In 1959, he began a remarkable 35 year academic and professional career at Auburn University, starting with teaching and wading muddy ponds in Alabama and around the world and ending with managing AU's globally recognized Dept. of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures for 20 years. His early career is marked by back and white photos from around the world as he spread the aquaculture gospel to rich and poor alike, working in waders and business suits as the situation demanded. After serving in multiple faculty positions, Shell was named director of the fisheries department in 1974. He also served as director of AU's International Center for Aquaculture before retiring in 1994. Wayne Shell authored many books and scientific reports. "Door-stops" is what he called several of his tomes that include the 872 page "Evolution of the Alabama Agroecosystem" published in 2011 and a 500+ page history of the Auburn fisheries department. A book he wrote on the practical applications of aquaculture—from building ponds and raising fish to gaining social, political and financial support for aquaculture—has been republished several times and used around the world. He is also a member of the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Fame. A longtime member of Auburn's First Baptist Church, he and Jean were active in The Seekers Sunday School class. He was a true believer but not a blind follower and was always seeking the sweet spot where science and spirituality meet and mutually reinforce each other. Sharp to the end, he regularly met with a group of treasured friends to discuss religious questions and issues of the day. He and Jean have enjoyed a wonderful and long retirement, playing with their grandkids and traveling all over North America while engaging extended family and friends. He was never happier than when with his family: Those small family picnics with just Jean, Dan and Ben at S-6 on the north station in the cool of a Saturday evening were idyllic, like playing on the front lawn of Heaven. The joy, excitement and support he showed for his children and grandchildren at school events, plays, ballgames and graduations was amazing. He was also known as the patriarch and keeper of knowledge of the Butler County Shell-Bass families. Wayne Shell also had a remarkable way with animals—a piney woods Dr. Doolittle. The meanest farm cur dogs and scratchy cats were quickly on their backs looking for belly rubs or purring contentedly at his ankles. After he retired, neighborhood pets literally visited him each day, running to see him whenever he opened to the door to get the mail or paper. Perhaps traced to his mother's unique religious-humanitarian background, Wayne Shell had a gentleness of spirit he gave to all. Whether a developing country native speaking pidgin English or an Alabama dirt farmer looking for a better way, a catfish conglomerate executive or U.S. Senator, he greeted and treated all with the same enthusiasm, respect, integrity and deference. Wayne Shell is remembered for his Christian compassion, soaring intellect and lifelong dedication to finding solutions, building bridges and helping others. He's sorely missed by all who knew him. Donations in Wayne Shell's name can be made to the Lee County Humane Society, Lee County Food Bank or Fisheries Dept. at Auburn University in memory of Wayne Shell. Please make checks payable to AU Foundation, 317 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849. Services are at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Auburn (masks required). A gathering in his honor will follow June 5 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center on N. College Street.