Donald Joseph Shure

Donald Joseph Shure passed away on January 23, 2023 at the age of 83 after a long illness, Don is survived by Janice, his loving wife of 57 years, his son Jeffrey and family Magen, Landon, and granddaughter Jamielynn, He is also remembered with love by his daughter Melissa and grandson James., his sister Marilyn and husband Gary Dando of Potomac, Maryland. Don was born on July 21,1939 to the late Marlin and Rose Shure and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Don attended Western Maryland College (renamed McDaniel College). He played on the soccer team, which in 1959 won "The Greatest Soccer Victory" in school history by defeating Drexel College who were the previous year's National Champions. Reunions at McDaniel continue to celebrate this event. Following college Don served for two years as a commissioned officer in the Army stationed at Fort McClellan, Al. He made several life long friends there. Following Don's service he enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Ecology at Rutgers University and in 1969 he joined the biology faculty at Emory University. Over the years he became an author of scientific publications on the subjects of ecological succession, plant-animal interactions, landscape ecology and forest dynamics, He especially enjoyed his work with his graduate students and watched them thrive after their graduation. At Emory Don received the Phi Beta Kappa Recognition for Excellent Teaching for four years and in 1990 he received the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award. In 2003 Don was awarded the McDaniel College Trustee Alumni Award followed shortly thereafter by his retirement from Emory.Don was very active in the Ecological Society of America and over the years he became Chair of many committees, most notable was Future Meetings, Program Policy, and Program Chair in 1982 - 1984. He was also President of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, 1986-1987. Don was very active with the Highlands Biological Foundation in North Carolina, bringing classes for weekends of hands-on work at the field station as well as serving on the Board of Trustees, Board of Scientific Advisors, and President of the Foundation, 1989-1992.

Don's love of the Highlands area resulted in the purchase of a home nearby, spending much retirement time there. He continued his work with the Highlands Biological Station and was very active in the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. In HPAS he served as President among other positions of service. With the renewed interest in birding, Don and Janice took many birding trips with friends to Central America as well as to Venezuela , Canada, and western United States. During his illness he has really missed his time in N.C. as well as the friends he made there.

A mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 490 Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock, GA. on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. Mass will be preceded by greeting the family at 10:30 a.m. Following Mass there will be a reception with refreshments served.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made to McDaniel College, Alzheimer's Association, or to an environmental association of your choosing. Obituary may be seen on the Woodstock Funeral Home website.