Tom Shirley's Obituary
Devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away March 18 at age 62 of cancer. Tom was born July 28, 1945 in Hattiesburg, MS and raised in Texas City, Texas. He graduated from high school as president of his class. He earned a BS in Physics at Lafayette College in 1967 and a PhD in Physics from Ohio State University in 1973. He worked as a quality control programmer for the B-1 Bomber navigation system at Logicon in Dayton, Ohio. Tom then moved back to Texas and worked for 20 years as a geophysicist at Mobil Oil in Dallas. He later earned a MS degree in Electrical Engineering at UTD and worked for three years at Raytheon in Garland. Tom was a loving and generous husband, father, and friend. He was often described as a true gentleman. He was an active and enthusiastic member of the Mobil Pals mentoring program. He was a ham radio operator for many years, and an avid vegetable gardener. His mother, Vera May Shirley, preceded him to heaven earlier this year. Tom is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Linda Shirley of Richardson, with whom he shared 40 beautiful years, his son, Tom Evan Shirley of Richardson, his daughter, Wendy Allen of Webster, with her husband James Allen and their children, Katryn, Thomas James, Rachel, Evelyn, Renee, and another daughter to be born in late May, his father, Thomas Elbert Shirley of Austin, his sister, Carolyn Shirley of Lexington, and his brother, Frank Shirley of Austin. Tom is greatly missed by all, and we are thankful that he is now free from suffering and in the presence of the Lord.
What’s your fondest memory of Tom?
What’s a lesson you learned from Tom?
Share a story where Tom's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Tom you’ll never forget.
How did Tom make you smile?