Robert “Bob” Morton Shirley of Tyler, Texas passed away April 28, 2022 at the age of 74. He was born on February 19, 1948 to LTCR Jack M. Shirley and Versie Virginia (Cassetty) Shirley in Los Angeles, California.
Bob spent his childhood years in California, Hawaii and McKinney, Texas. He was a 1966 graduate of McKinney High School. Bob attended East Texas State University and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi, serving as secretary, then moved and graduated from Florida State University. He worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Water Quality, then the Texas Department of Environmental Water Quality until his retirement.
Bob had a lifelong love and appreciation for the earth and nature, spending time hiking, canoeing, camping and gathering with friends in Colorado. His favorite events were Sebring Car racing and college football. A man of open-hearted generosity, Bob faithfully supported veteran and police charities as well as organizations for those in need. He also had a special interest in the National Forest and Wildlife Preservation.
Bob is survived by his nephew, Brent N. Shirley and wife, Erin; great-nephew, Lucas Jack; and sister-in-law, Nan Shirley. He will be greatly missed by them and his many longtime friends. A close neighbor of his said fondly that “He was the definition of a good neighbor”.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and elder brother, Jack W. Shirley.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Bob’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/robert-bob-morton-shirley . After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s honor to the Arbor Day Foundation or The Wounded Warrior Project.