Former Renton City Attorney Gerard M. Shellan died in Palm Springs on April

1. He was 94 years old. Shellan served as Renton’s city attorney for 27 years, and worked for five

mayors and 11 city councils.

During his tenure as city attorney, Shellan negotiated with BNSF, Boeing and the Monohan

family for the acquisition of the first 20 acres of land that we enjoy today as Gene Coulon Memorial

Beach Park. He was honored for his services to Renton with a proclamation and key to the city on July

14, 2014.

“We will always remember Judge Shellan’s contribution to Renton and he will be sorely missed for his

legal knowledge and great personality,” said Mayor Denis Law in a press release.

Shellan was appointed to the King County Superior Court in 1977 by governor Dixy Lee Ray

and was twice elected by his fellow judges as the presiding judge of the King County Superior Court.

He founded the Family Law department in King County Superior Court and was involved in the

expansion of the court to include five new courtrooms with new judicial positions. He earned several

awards during his time with King County Superior Court including the Louis Brandeis Award, the

Outstanding Judge Award and Washington Jurist Award.

Judge Shellan left the King County Superior Court and joined the Judicial Arbitration and Mediations

services in 1989 where he distinguished himself as a mediator and arbitrator.

The family has not announced plans for a memorial service.