Jerry C. Shirley

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry C. Shirley, USMC (Ret.), 87, passed away on May 23, 2025. Jerry is the son of the late Lummie Hobson and Delores Williamson Shirley of Northport, AL. Born and raised in Northport, he graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1954. He attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 1959. While attending college, he worked for the US Post Office to support his family. He later completed his Juris Doctorate degree at the University of Alabama School of Law in 1973.

He began his military career in 1954. He served his country for 23 years. He was a USMC rifle Company Commander during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967. He saw combat action with the 1st Battalion 3rd Marines and was Commanding Officer of Bravo Company. Jerry was involved in several combat operations with I Corp Marines, including Operation Union I and Beau Charger. Personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for Valor, and the Purple Heart.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1980, Jerry worked for 9 years as a Northport attorney. He then became a Social Security Administrative Law Judge, retiring on October 1, 2015. In retirement, he enjoyed reading about the Civil War, investing in stocks, researching family history, and having morning coffee at McDonald's with his friends.

To those who knew him, Jerry was known as a man devoted to his family, with strong Christian values. Jerry's dear daughter Sandy Shirley Logan predeceased him. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 66 years, June Phares Shirley, sons Keith Shirley (Kay), David Shirley (Carol), and Brad Shirley, brothers Robert Shirley (Charlene) and Timothy Shirley (Marie), 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 28 at 1 pm at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 2200 Skyland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. Pallbearers will include, Matthew Glenn Shirley, Eric Shirley, Alex Shirley, Matthew Hobson Shirley, Allen Shirley, and Joe Bob Whitt.