Owen Shelley, who spent more than 30 years as children's missioner with Scripture Union, has died.

Mr Shelley was well known to generations of Christians in Sydney and NSW for his talks and story telling at church services, outreach events and beach missions.

He died of heart failure on August 2nd, according to a statement on the website run by his son Stephen.

Describing his father as "a pioneer in using the technology of the day (overhead projectors) to share the good news of Jesus to thousands of children throughout NSW", Stephen Shelley said he had been working with his father to  create ministry resources suitable for use in the new digital age.

"He was still working on our latest project, updating the A to Z of Ministry with Children, the night before he died. I shall finish this project now that he is gone. I started Shelley and Son so that his skills, knowledge and insight in children's ministry would not be lost. I am so glad that we were able to produce so much while we still had time." Stephen Shelley said.

Mr Shelley died of heart failure at the age of 87, leaving a widow, Daphne, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

"He was commenting the night before he died how fortunate he has been that he has never lost any of his children. We have now lost him but are comforted by the knowledge that he is now with his Lord" Stephen Shelley said.

The Chairman of SU in NSW, the Rev Simon Flinders, described Mr Shelley as a 'Scripture union legend'.

"No-one in our movement’s history has done more to dignify ministry to children than Owen.  His zeal for the gospel, and his creativity in telling it, have together been an inspiration and a model for many.  He was energetic and enthusiastic to the last and we will miss him keenly.  But we give great thanks to God for the life and service of our brother." Mr Flinders said.

 A funeral will be held on Tuesday 12th August at 2:00pm at Narwee Baptist Church, Baumans Road, Peakhurst. The Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, will preach.

Stephen Shelley is collecting stories and material about the impact of his father's ministry. You can email him here.

Black and white photo: Owen Shelley in action at Toowoon Bay Beach Mission in 1980 (Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos)