Richard E. “Tex” Shirley Sr., age 84, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Newton, Kansas while receiving hospice care services at the Kansas Christian Home.
Richard was born to parents O. L. Shirley and Cora Mae (Martin) Shirley in Henderson, TX in January 1940. He grew up in western Texas and graduated from Levelland High School in 1958, after which he followed in his older brother’s footsteps by enlisting as a musician in the US Navy.
Richard was introduced to his first wife, Jane (Shaver) Shirley, by her brother, George Shaver, while the two were stationed together at the Army/Navy School of Music in Norfolk, VA. Richard and Jane married in 1961. Following the birth of their daughter in 1962, Richard was honorably discharged from active duty to the Navy Reserves and pursued degrees in Music Education at Bowling Green State University. The summer of 1966 marked Richard’s completion of his undergraduate studies; the birth of his second child, a son; and the beginning of his instrumental music teaching career in public school systems in the State of Ohio. He completed the newly offered Master of Music Education program through the College of Musical arts at BGSU in 1970 while continuing to teach. During the course of their marriage, Richard and Jane were both active in church music and church leadership. He also began teaching music to their children, beginning at very young ages. Richard and Jane divorced in 1989.
Richard continued teaching, and went on to marry his second wife, Betty J. (Appleby) Hughes Shirley, in 1990. After 25 years of teaching music in Ohio public schools, Richard retired from the Mad River/Riverside school district. He then continued his career as a music educator, teaching military dependents in Department of Defense schools overseas. He and Betty served in Korea and then Spain for a total of 10 more years. Richard received his preferred nickname “Tex” from Betty during that time period, because of his deep love for his Texas heritage. Finishing his time with the DOD schools, Richard and Betty retired to Kettering, OH in 2002. At the time of Betty’s death in 2021, they had been together for more than 30 years.
Richard was very proud to have served in the US Navy. He had a life-long love of music and dancing, which included very eclectic and diverse tastes in genres and styles, with memberships in the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra and the Dayton Ballroom/Swing Dance Club. Having been a member of the Dayton Chess Club for many years, Richard enjoyed playing chess and other activities that involved strategic planning and problem-solving. He also held great love for his family members and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents O. L. Shirley and Cora M. Shirley; his siblings John Charles Shirley (1945-1994), Patricia Shirley Wisenbaker (1935-2010), Polly Shirley Gentry (1943-2015) and Oliver Lewis Shirley Jr. (1937-2017); by his granddaughters Mercy Noel Shirley (2002), and Rachael Erryn Shirley (1992-2015).
Richard is survived by his first wife, Jane Shirley; his children Giovanna S. McQuillen (m. Mark Schnabel) and Richard E. Shirley Jr. (Rick, m. Dawn M. Shirley); grandchildren Jordan L. Salmen (m. Marius Salmen), Abigail R. Goins (m. Micajah Goins), Emily E. Shirley, Joshua A. Shirley, and Grace A. Shirley; great-grandchildren Kyra S. Salmen and Priya S. Salmen; sisters Shirley A. Parr, Linda M. Saberi, and Glenda J. M. Shirley; along with many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, charitable memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital; Kansas Christian Home, 1035 SE Third Street, Newton KS 67114; or Hoovers Valley Cemetery, 7650 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611.
Baker Funeral Home Valley Center is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.