Don F. Shirley

Don Shirley
Boca Raton, FL

On February 6, 2014 the world lost a treasure. Donald Shirley passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family at Hospice By The Sea in Boca Raton, Florida. He was a son, a husband, a friend, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a father, a Navy veteran, a Clemson University graduate, a Mars Hill College graduate, a Textile Technology Institute graduate, a Tri-County Technical College instructor, a DuPont Company executive and an irreverent jokester. He had a smile that lit up whatever room he was in. He was a profoundly happy man and his joy for living was infectious. He taught Sunday school and was a Sunday school superintendent.

Don grew up from meager beginnings in Catechee, South Carolina. He was the son of H.C. and Thelma Shirley who worked hard to instill good values and beliefs in him. He learned to work hard, trust God and help others in his formative years. He varsity lettered in three sports all during high school at Liberty High and was a member of the Beta club all while working full time at the Norris/Woodside Cotton Mill. It was then that he met friends he would keep throughout his lifetime. After high school he joined the Navy where he earned the rank of E5. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands and Japan. After he his honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to college at Mars Hill followed by Clemson and the Textile Technology Institute.

While he was at Clemson, he met the woman of his dreams. The "woman he was going to marry, or the only woman who was going to have the chance to tell him no." Fortunately for Don, she said yes and they were married on August 19, 1961 in Oswego, SC. After several years, they were blessed with a son, Kevin Reid who was followed almost two years later by a daughter, Laura Elizabeth. He was the rock for our family during Laura's childhood illnesses. He held us all together.

Don began his professional career with DuPont in Camden, SC and was later transferred to Wilmington, DE. He was a transportation specialist for DuPont in Wilmington where his daughter swears he 'played with trains'. He was a hardworking man that worked on cars, remodeled every house he ever lived in, fished, played pool and taught his children to play every sport he could play. Much to his chagrin, neither were as adept as he was. He went to every music recital, dance recital, musical performance, play or musical, and sporting event in which either of his children was to appear. He went to all of the book fairs hosted by his wife Sarah, and helped out around the house while Sarah was achieving her dream of getting her Master's Degree in Library Science from Clemson rival the University of South Carolina. He was an incredibly supportive husband and father. He was active in the Sertoma Club, the Elks Lodge and in IPTAY.

Don and Sarah moved to Delray Beach, FL a little over two years ago as Don's health began to fail. He loved to sit in the back yard and watch the animals and people in the park behind our house. He made fast friends with Maki, our Cairn Terrier and our big girl, a pit bull named Angel. They adored him and he would sit contentedly with them for hours. He would watch sports more than anyone I have ever met, but his favorite, by far, was Clemson Tiger Football. He introduced his daughter Laura to then Tiger Coach Danny Ford at an IPTAY dinner in Camden, SC in the late 70s or early 80s. It is one of her favorite memories.

Don's illness never took away his smile, his love of sports, his love of animals or his ability to be the glue that held his family together. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, his son Kevin, son-in-law Scott, daughter Laura, son-in-law Thomas, sister Gert, brother-in-law John, brother-in-law Bill, nieces Fredda, Frances, Kim, Lecia, nephew Keith and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Though survived by few, he will be missed by many. His passing has left a hole in the world that can only make us more grateful to have had the honor of having known him.

Memorial services were held at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, Florida and another will be held at Pendleton Presbyterian Church in Pendleton, South Carolina on February 19, 2014 at 2PM. Interment will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a Hospice Organization of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC, which is assisting the family.