George F. Shirley

George Shirley, known to friends and family as "Fred," passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 24, 2019 at the age of 89.

A native of Michigan, Fred graduated from Dearborn High School in 1947, advancing as one of the states’ first Eagle Scouts. Fred went onto attend Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, graduating in 1951 with his Bachelors’ Degree. His time at Kings Point held many of his fondest memories, still connected after nearly 70 years to several classmates he attended the school with. Upon graduating Kings Point, Fred entered in the Navy as an officer and spent the next 4 years travelling the world during the Korean War.

After his time in the Navy, Fred settled in Livonia, Michigan, working as an insurance adjuster for Ford as he attended Detroit College of Law. Fred passed the Bar Exam became a lawyer in 1968 and went into his own law practice for the next 20 years.

In 1988 Fred moved to Ft. Myers, Florida where he went to work at the Florida State’s Attorney’s office as their Legal Researcher. He also became an avid golfer. He proudly retired from the State’s Attorney’s office in 2006, and then settled in Sebring, Florida getting involved in many community affairs, became a Guardian Ad Litem and student mentor to high school kids in the Sebring area.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Spofford and Natalie, Sister Lynn, wife Natalie (nee Whitman), second wife Julie (nee Adams) and third wife Marvel (nee Lull). He is survived by son David Frederick and daughter Anne Natalie Lafayette (Jerry) and 4 grandchildren – David Lafayette, Michael Wilson, Katherine Wilson and Sarah Shirley, one great-grandchild, Robert Wilson, and niece Susan McCloskey (Jim). Fred will also be remembered by numerous stepchildren and step grandchildren.

On Friday, May 17, 2019 Fred will be interned with full military honors at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. A Celebration of his Life will be held the following day at the home of his daughter Anne & Jerry Lafayette in Lake Worth, Florida.