J. M. Shirley

Miaron Shirley was born on June 17, 1921, in Nolan County, Texas to Thomas Benjamin Shirley and Ruth Roberts. After losing his father during the Great Depression, young J. M. assumed the father role for his younger brothers and sisters and farmed the family land until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. While serving his country as an aircraft mechanic, he met the love of his life, Yvonne Click of San Angelo. The young couple married in 1945 in San Antonio, moved to San Angelo, and started a family.

Miaron, or J.M. as he wanted to be called, first started his career in the automotive industry at Mustang Chevrolet where he first learned his craft, and later went on to work for Jim Bass Ford. In 1966 J. M. fulfilled his dream of opening his own auto body shop, Shirley’s Auto Repair. The small shop expanded in later years and is now run by Glenn Shirley and his wife Linda.

Known to those who loved him as “Gramps,” J.M. took great pleasure in family gatherings and dearly loved spending time with his entire family. His remarkable memory was an amazing gift to anyone privileged to hear his stories. He was a loveable prankster and almost everyone in the family was an innocent victim at one time or another.

His character, faith, and integrity were his trademarks, and all who knew him never had a doubt as to the values on which he based his life. His granddaughter, Deja, remembered Gramps as a man who “left imprints of what was right” on the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was truly a gift to his family and his community, and he will be deeply missed.

Special thanks go to Kristen, Robby, and Deja, who gave untiringly of themselves to take care of their beloved Gramps in his final days. Also included in the angels who cared for Gramps are his hospice nurses Frankie and Debra. We are eternally grateful for your loving service to the entire Shirley family. The services of Dr. Denver Marsh and Valerie Mills were also deeply appreciated by the family.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-five years, Yvonne, brother Milton Shirley of Abilene, children and spouses; Sharon and Duane Helweg of San Angelo, Karen and Bobby Payne of Burleson, and Glenn and Linda Shirley of San Angelo. Grandchildren include Angela Byers and husband Michael of Bixby, Oklahoma, Brian Salling and wife Joy of Fort Worth, Kristen Waters and husband David of Fredericksburg, Robby Payne of Burleson, Deja Gonzalez and husband Jaime of San Angelo, and Glenn Shirley, Jr. also of San Angelo. Great-grandchildren are Alannah and Lindsey Byers, Sawyer, Violet, and Chloe Salling, Jonathan Shirley, Erin and Kyle Waters, Jazmin and Izabella Gonzalez. Also left to treasure his memory are the Shirley nieces and nephew, his honorary children/grandchildren, Cheryl Lankford and Lori Dye of Lubbock and their mother, Marcia Dye of San Angelo, and brothers-in-law Val Click and wife Brenda of Abilene, and Jim Click and wife Jan of Midland.

Visitation is 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday March 11, 2011 at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday March 12, 2011 at Lifepoint Baptist Church with Pastor Phil Webber officiating. Interment will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

The family requests memorials be made to Hospice of San Angelo. Family and friends may sign an online guest book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.