Gary Michael Shirley's Obituary
Gary Michael Shirley, a lifelong resident of Tulsa, passed away August 5, 2020 at the age of 71. He was born April 25, 1949 to Earl Kenneth Shirley and Edna Ruth (Hildebrand) Shirley in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary grew up on the westside of Tulsa, graduating in the class of 1967 from Webster High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Robert K. Huntington in Vietnam, and he later traveled to 18 other countries, serving aboard the admiral's flagship, the USS Valcour. He was a master machinist, and he retired from Norris as an electrical mechanical maintenance engineer.
Gary had a powerfully beautiful tenor voice, which he regularly used to deliver stirring renditions of sacred music. He loved singing in church choirs, and he was regularly called upon to perform special music offerings in weekly services and holiday pageants. In addition music, he had the gift of intuitively understanding the workings of all things electrical and mechanical, and he used his gift selflessly and often to help others in need as he fixed and improved the world around him. He enjoyed chess and solving puzzles, and he was a self-professed connoisseur of ice cream. Gary was a steadfast husband and a dedicated father, and he especially adored his role as "Papa" to his grandchildren.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Edna, and sister Rebecca Hurlbut. He is survived by his wife, of 42 years, Mary of the home; 2 sons Michael of Austin, Texas and Colby of the home; 2 daughters Andrea of Sand Springs and Jessica of Berryhill; 3 grandchildren;
2 brothers Kevin Shirley of Missouri and Glen Shirley of Helena, Oklahoma; sister Carol Martin of Broken Arrow.
Viewing will be held from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Tuesday, August 11th at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Services to celebrate Gary's life will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 12th at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
Donations may be made in Gary's honor to American Heart Association online at https://www.heart.org.
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