I met Rick my sophomore year. I got switched into his class mid-semester and all I remember is being so frustrated and hating his class.  He was always so patient with me, though, and I had to be patient with him when he kept calling me "Tori". However, when I ended up in his class again the next year,  my love for IT  manifested. I competed and lost in a competition for the first time that year, and instantly I knew  loved what I was doing. Rick was more than just a mentor to me, he was honestly a father figure and a great friend  to me.  He introduced me to my passion and he gave me so much wisdom in the four years I got to know him. He wad there for every important moment, good or bad, and helped me through some of my roughest times. I find myself wanting to call or text him every other day whenever I learn something new in class or I'm struggling with a concept. I always have story to tell my friends about my memories with him. He made my high school years so amazing and I genuinely would not have received so many opportunities without his help. I loved Rick like he was family and I miss him everyday but I'm so grateful for the time we got. ❤️

Richard and I were good friends and both members of Erwin High School Class of 1986.  Many, many of my most treasured high school memories involved Richard.  We had a lot of fun together and stayed in touch less and less as we got older, but still checked-in with each other occasionally.  Richard was one of the smartest people I ever came across and he also had a very philosophical side, and we had some very deep discussions about the meaning of life. He was generous with his time and was somebody you could always count on for help. I'm shocked by his death at way too early of an age.  I just love the guy and pray that his family can find peace and solace.  I'll never forget you, Richard.  +Rest in Peace+, my friend. See you on the other side.

The first time getting acquainted with Rick was August 2005, at Erwin High School. I was touring the Library Media Center because I was hired for the Library Media Specialist position. When Rick appeared, he introduced himself as Rick Shirley. As our conversation continued, I kept calling him Mr. Shirley. He replied, “Please call me Rick.”  We worked together through the school year on technology issues that I was not familiar with. Our work relationship grew stronger each year even when we made our big move to the new school Center Point High.
I will always remember Rick’s personality as one of calmness through all situations. His attitude toward disruptive and chaotic drama was undisturbed, which led me to ask him, “What kind of vitamins do you take? He replied, with a huge smile and kept his peace. Furthermore, I will miss the Rock music he embraced when entering his room. Some of it were songs I knew as well. We would sit and elaborate on the artist.
My prayers will forever be with his family, and he will be missed. Rest in Peace my friend.  
Beverly Jones, Library Media Specialist

We met Rick a few years ago during a short vacation in Jamaica.  Rick was easygoing yet engaging, and added to the fun we had exploring this pretty island country. When Rick spoke about his work as a teacher, it was clear that he was a devoted educator who was proud of his students’ many accomplishments.  We know Rick was very close with his family, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who will miss him.

My last memory was our conversation on Tuesday you were doing what you do best helping me with one of my many technical issues. You kept telling me to hold the button down even though I wanted you to stop what you were doing to help me. Had I known it would have been your last time assisting me I would have stayed longer and shared a little more tech humor with you. Rest well to the best Information Technology Guy I know!!! Rock On Rick! 

So sorry to hear about Richard's passing, and praying for God's peace for his family.  I was happy to read recently about the difference Richard was making in the lives of his students--but not surprised.  I know he made a big difference in my life, as I was lucky to have him as a good friend in high school, where he managed to always be our small group's 'get away' driver in many of my fond memories from those days.  And if it weren't for Richard, then I would not have ended up changing my plans and going to Mississippi State for college, since I knew I would have a at least one good friend (and roommate, and ride home during the semester) if I went there.   I met my wife there at State, so to say he had a big impact on the direction of my life is not an understatement--we've been married now 29 years and have 2 wonderful sons.  I'm just very sad I never took the chance to let him know how much he did for me before he left this world.  As most do, I assumed there would always be time.  May you rest in peace, Richard...

Rick thrived in the world of technology!  If you had a question, he would take time to explain the answer in simple terms.  He was current in what computers were able to do  and future predictions. Many times I visited his class observing the challenges he gave the students and the encouragement for them to advance as far as they could.  Rick would share ideas that he wanted to put in place as we wrote lesson plans.  Such a talented young man with so much knowledge to share!  I am glad that I was able to work with Rick while serving as Career and Technical Education Supervisor for the Jefferson County School System. 



They don't make many teachers like Rick!  As a young teacher, he volunteered countless hours teaching four young ladies about videos and editing.  Together they produced an outdoor survival video that is used even in today's time.   Just one small example of the commitment this teacher had that hundreds of young adults learned from and passed on to the next generation.   Thank you. Rick!

Rick had a amazing spirit and loved his students like no other I would always look forward to going to his class because he always treated us the best with patience this doesn’t seem real and he will be missed this sucks. 💔

Rick spent countless hours helping me and a few friends edit an instructional video that earned us our Girl Scout Gold Award. He would always speak when you passed him in the hallways and if I ever had a question about computers, he was my go-to! Class of 96! 

He use to take the time out to walk me through every computer step when it came to taking apart or even typing. Typing wasn’t easy for some of us and he always had a positive mind set for it. 

I met Rick in 1994 as a sophomore when he was assisting Erwin High School with it's computer network setup, filming football games for a yearly video, and starting the school closed circuit weekly news program. He treated all of us as equals and friends. We spent many a late night as a group slaving over the Amiga filming / editing a segment or running network cable through the ceiling in the summers.  Those are some of my best memories from high school.  I am proud to have had Rick as a friend and to see how much good he continued to do with the high school.

As C/O 2002 Class President, my condolences goes out to all the Erwin Eagles who were able to know Rick. Rick was a teacher but he wanted to be called Rick, not Mr. Shirley; and he treated you like an adult. He helped to coordinate many Senior Class trips to Cancun. We were the first class to say we didn’t want to go to Cancun and he thought we were crazy..haha. We were just ready to leave. He was our IT teacher and he knew most of the gossip in our little high school worlds. He spoke to you as an equal but you still had to take the computer apart and put it back together. May we keep his memories in our thoughts and prayers.

I met my wife in Mr. Rick's class. He let me take computer maintenance 2 in his computer maintenance 1 class because he knew I had a genuine interest in computer science. Today I'm a software engineer. Thanks Mr. Rick. We will miss you. 

OBITUARY

Richard "Rick" Shirley

January 4, 1968 – September 23, 2020

Ridout's Trussville Chapel

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